XC Central: Gans Creek Classic

COLUMBIA, Mo. — After a two-week training block following its 2026 season opener, Tennessee cross country returns to action this week with a trip to Columbia, Missouri, for the eighth annual Gans Creek Classic. The Vols and Lady Vols line up Friday morning in a field featuring 32 squads at the Gans Creek Cross Country Course.

The women's gold invitational 6k begins at 9 a.m. ET, followed by the men's gold invitational 8k at 9:45 a.m. Both teams will get their first of two opportunities to compete on the Gans Creek course this fall, returning to Columbia Friday, Oct. 30, for SEC Championships.

NOTING THE FIELD: Head coach Justin Duncan's squads will face five programs that are ranked in the latest U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) national poll.

Women: No. 22 Arkansas, No. 26 Missouri
Men: No. 16 Arkansas, No. 28 Missouri, No. 30 Kansas

Both Tennessee squads are receiving votes in the latest USTFCCCA poll, just outside the top 30.

FOLLOW LIVE: The 2026 Gans Creek Classic will be streamed live on SEC Network+, and live results will be provided by PrimeTime Timing.

LAST TIME OUT: Tennessee cross country opened the 2026 season with a pair of strong team finishes at the Tennessee Cross Country Invitational, as the Lady Vols edged Kentucky by one point to win the women's three-mile title with 39 points while the Vols placed second with 42 points in the men's four-mile race. Sophomore All-American Mary Nyaboke Ogwoka led the way with a third-place finish in 15:58.7 for the women, while Zouhair Redouane paced the Vols in fourth at 19:28.6.

UP NEXT: The Vols and Lady Vols travel to Madison, Wisconsin, for the Nuttycombe Invitational, set for Friday, Oct. 9.

Next Event

Players Mentioned

Mary Nyaboke Ogwoka

Zouhair Redouane

University of Tennessee Athletics