WICHITA, Kan. – Heading into head coach Tracy Jex's second season at the helm, the Friends University Cross Country Falcons will open the 2026 campaign later this month on Aug. 28 at the Spire Sunset Showdown at the University of Saint Mary in Leavenworth, Kan.
Bolstering the Falcons unit this upcoming season is the return of sophomore Lexi Patterson on the women's side, who finished a team-best 19th at the KCAC Women's Championship meet to qualify for the NAIA National Championship event in her first season on campus.
"Lexi had a great freshman year," said Jex. "Qualifying for nationals was a great accomplishment. We will look to build off the momentum of her track season, where she helped our women's track team to second place in both indoor and outdoor conference meets, and continue to develop her as a strong competitor in the conference. As always, our expectations will be focused on the process, rather than the outcomes. If we focus on those goals, then we have the ability to do some really great things this year."
Hannah Cribley, the Falcons' next highest conference finisher, is also back this year for her junior season along with veterans Gwendolyn Copeland and Grace Lee.
The Falcon Women's depth in 2026 will also be strengthened with the addition of multiple newcomers.
"Hannah, Grace and Gwendolyn had a really great season last year and will look to build off of the momentum from outdoor track season," noted Jex. "Each of these women should be looking to improve their place and a couple of them could be athletes that are fighting for individual spots at nationals.
"We are also really excited about our incoming class of women this year. I really believe in all eight of our new recruits, and that they will help to create a strong team culture as we move forward. There are a couple of local Wichita women to watch: Lydia Walden and Ellie Petz. In all honesty all eight of the freshmen we brought in have a lot of potential and will all do some really great things."
For the Falcon Men, they're set to return four of their top five finishers from conference in Sam Wright, Xavi Rafart, Alex Zortman and Mike Rodriguez.
Diego Chapellin and Joshua Robertson are additional veterans from last season that will bring experience to the squad for the upcoming season.
"Each of our top returners for the men helped lay a really good foundation for the future," said Jex. They had a really great track season, and they will look to build on that through the fall. Each of these guys has the potential to improve their place from last year's conference result, and we have the potential to be fighting for some individual qualifying spots for nationals."
The Falcon Men will also feature a nice mix of newcomers that Jex expects to contribute this season.
"We brought in eleven new freshmen to our men's team this year," said Jex. "Freshmen Joaquin Miranda from Houston, Texas and Laurenz Stiess from Germany are just two that have the potential to be fighting for individual spots at nationals. Locally, we'll have Gavin Hickert from Smith Center. Gavin was the 2A state champion in the 3200m to help his team to the 2A state title."
Following the Spire Sunset Showdown, the Falcons will compete at the JK Gold Invite in Wichita on Sept. 5. The KCAC Championship meet is set for Nov. 7 in Springfield, Mo. and the NAIA National Championship meet will take place on Nov. 20 in Vancouver, Wash.
