LONGVIEW, Texas – LeTourneau cross country returns to full swing this Saturday, traveling to the UT Tyler Invitational on Sept. 5.
Kevin Gideon enters his third year at the helm as the YellowJackets compete in the SCAC (Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference) for the second season.Â
THE ROSTER
Following a sixth-place finish at the SCAC Championships, the LeTourneau men's cross country team looks to retool in 2026.Â
Grayson Gaddis is the top returner for the YellowJackets, finishing 26th at the SCAC Championships. Austin Jett joins Gaddis as the only two seniors on the roster.
Ryan Tally and Alexander Hoksbergen make up the junior class, with Gavin Smith, Jack McCarty, and Konrad Williamson rounding out the returners as sophomores.
Four new faces join the men's squad in 2026: Ethan Hoglund, Mikey McCart, Sam Trosen, and Michael Wallens III.Â
The women's cross country team features a batch of fresh faces as the YellowJackets seek to replace all five scorers from last year's SCAC Championships.Â
Peyton Chaney, Felice Mullinax, and Rivkah Schmickle are LeTourneau's returners, followed by newcomers Corrina Mendoza, Sophie Pyle, and Breeanna Hoffman, and freshmen Tatum Kratky and Klaire Belzung.
"I am excited for the season ahead! We have a great group this year!" Gideon said regarding his squads. "The team is working hard, caring about the details, and having fun. I like where we're headed."
SCAC OUTLOOK
Reigning men's and women's champion Colorado College will host the SCAC Championships on Oct. 31 in Colorado Springs, Colo. The Tigers have captured the last eight SCAC cross country titles, and the women the last five.
THE SCHEDULE
The slate begins with the UT Tyler Invitational on Sept. 5 in Tyler, Texas. It will be the first time LeTourneau has competed in a meet hosted by UT Tyler -- a former ASC foe and now an NCAA Division II member -- since 2017.
LeTourneau then heads to the Lois Davis Invitational, hosted by NCAA Division II member Southern Arkansas, on Sept. 18.
October features three meets. The YellowJackets head to the University of Arkansas for the annual Chile Pepper Festival on Oct. 3. The meet draws competition annually draws competition from all three levels of the NCAA and NAIA. The final regular season meet is slated for Oct. 16 at Dallas Baptist's Old Glory Gallup in Fort Worth, Texas, replacing the initial scheduled meet at Mississippi College.
The SCAC Championships are scheduled for Oct. 31 in Colorado Springs, Colo., hosted by Colorado College.
The NCAA West Region meet is back in the Pacific Northwest this year as Whitworth will serve as host on Nov. 14 in Spokane Valley, Wash. The NCAA Division III Championships are slated for Nov. 21 in Northfield, Minn.
FOLLOW THE YELLOWJACKETS
Be sure to follow LeTourneau athletics all season long on letuathletics.com and social media at Facebook, Twitter/X and Instagram for up-to-date scores, news, and other information.
