NORFOLK, Va. — Norfolk State University released its 2026 cross country schedule Wednesday, setting up a run at a seventh straight MEAC title for the men's team.

The Spartan men enter the season as six-time defending MEAC champions after they claimed the conference crown last fall for the sixth consecutive year. Junior Lewis Too captured the individual championship in that race, and the MEAC named Director of Track & Field Programs Kenneth Giles its Most Outstanding Coach. The Spartan women finished second at last season's championships and will look to climb a spot higher this fall.

Norfolk State opens the 2026 campaign Sept. 5 at the Spider Alumni Open in Richmond, Va., where the men's race starts at 9:15 a.m. and the women follow at 9:50 a.m. The Spartans then travel to Earlysville, Va., for the Virginia Invitational on Sept. 11, with the race set for 9:30 a.m.

October brings a three-meet stretch that includes two of the program's marquee stops. Norfolk State heads to Bethlehem, Penn., on Oct. 2 for the Paul Short Invitational, where the men run at 9 a.m. and the women follow at 9:45 a.m. The Spartans then return to Earlysville, Va., on Oct. 16 for the Panorama Farms Invitational, with the race set for 9:30 a.m.

The Spartan men will defend their MEAC title Oct. 31 at WakeMed Soccer Park in Cary, N.C., while the women look to overtake the field after last season's runner-up finish. The women's race begins at 11 a.m., and the men's race follows at noon.

The postseason schedule includes the NCAA Southeast Regional Championship on Nov. 13 in Spartanburg, S.C. The Spartans will then look to take a trip to the NCAA National Championships, taking place on Nov. 21 in Terre Haute, Ind.

For complete coverage of Norfolk State Athletics, please follow the Spartans on social media at @nsuspartans (X/Twitter), /NorfolkStateAthletics (Facebook), @NSUAthletics (Instagram), @nsuathletics (YouTube) or visit the official home of Norfolk State Athletics at nsuspartans.com.

About Norfolk State University Athletics
Norfolk State University is a Division I member of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference and a proud Historically Black College and University, sponsoring 17 varsity sports. The Department of Intercollegiate Athletics is committed to competitive excellence, academic achievement, and building a culture that wins beyond the scoreboard. Behold the green and gold.
 

2026 Norfolk State Cross Country Schedule

Date	Meet	Location	Time
Sept. 5	Spider Alumni Open	Richmond, Va.	9:15 a.m. (M), 9:50 a.m. (W)
Sept. 11	Virginia Invitational	Earlysville, Va.	9:30 a.m.
Oct. 2	Paul Short Invitational	Bethlehem, Pa.	9 a.m. (M), 9:45 a.m. (W)
Oct. 16	Panorama Farms Invitational	Earlysville, Va.	9:30 a.m.
Oct. 31	MEAC Championships	Cary, N.C. (WakeMed Soccer Park)	11 a.m. (W), 12 p.m. (M)
Nov. 13	NCAA Southeast Regional Championship	Spartanburg, S.C.	TBA
Nov. 21	NCAA National Championships	Terre Haute, Ind.	TBA