Men's Cross Country

CCS Cross Country Programs Spotlight 2026 Runners to Watch

ATLANTA, Ga (September 3, 2026) – The Collegiate Conference of the South (CCS) has announced its 2026 Cross Country Runners to Watch list, featuring 13 student-athletes selected by their head coaches to represent their respective programs entering the upcoming season.

The list includes returning all-conference performers, championship competitors, experienced upperclassmen, and newcomers expected to make an impact during the 2026 campaign.

The season begins on Friday, Sept. 4, with four CCS programs opening competition. Teams will compete throughout October before turning their attention to the 2026 CCS Cross Country Championships, scheduled for Friday, Oct. 30, at John Hunt Park in Huntsville, Alabama. The championship event will be hosted in partnership with the City of Huntsville and the Huntsville Sports Commission.

  • Lilybeth Sanchez | Agnes Scott College | Sophomore | Clinton, NC

    Sanchez enters her second collegiate season after showing significant improvement throughout her freshman campaign. She completed the CCS Championship course in 35:29.46 before lowering her personal best by more than three minutes at the NCAA South Regional, where she posted a time of 32:02.0. Her late-season progress provides a solid foundation entering 2026.

     

    Season Opener: To be announced.

  • Noah Smith | Asbury University | Sophomore | Fredericktown, OH

    Smith made an immediate impact during his first collegiate season, placing sixth in his collegiate debut at the Eagle Opener. He later recorded a personal-best 8K time of 27:57 at the NCAA Regional and finished seventh among a field of 47 runners at the Asbury Invitational.

     

    Bailey Gassmann | Asbury University | Senior | Churchville, PA

    Gassmann played a key role in Asbury's second consecutive CCS Women's Cross Country Championship in 2025. She opened the year with a victory at the Eagle Opener, finished runner-up at the Berea Invitational, and claimed the individual CCS Championship title with a winning time of 23:28.48 in the 6K race.

     

    Season Opener: Panther Prowl, September 4, Owensboro, KY

  • Roger Matos | Belhaven University | Freshman | Gautier, Miss.

    Matos begins his collegiate career after competing in both cross country and track and field throughout high school. His experience across multiple distances, ranging from the 400 meters to the 5K, has helped develop versatility that he will bring to the Blazers program in his first season.

     

    Jocelyn Belonga | Belhaven University | Junior | Prosper, Texas

    Belonga returns for her second cross country season after gaining valuable experience during the 2025 campaign. She opened last season with a strong performance and enters this year with additional training and racing experience as she continues to develop within the Blazers program.

     

    Season Opener: MC Season Opener, September 4, Clinton, Miss.

  • Evangelia Berry | Covenant College | Senior | Morgantown, WV.

    Berry returns to the Covenant lineup after previously competing in every meet during the 2023 and 2024 seasons. She contributed to two CCS runner-up team finishes and brings veteran leadership and championship experience into her senior campaign.

     

    Aidan DeVries | Covenant College | Senior | Grimsby, Ontario

    DeVries earned All-CCS Second Team honors in 2025 after placing 12th at the conference championship with a personal-best time of 28:03.14. His performance helped Covenant secure the CCS men's team championship.

     

    Season Opener: Mountain Stride, September 5, Chattanooga, Tenn.

  • Hayes Brockett | Huntingdon College | Sophomore | Dothan, AL

    Brockett enters his second season after leading the Hawks in each of their six meets during the 2025 campaign. He returns as one of Huntingdon's top performers following a successful freshman season.

     

    Michaela Moore | Huntingdon College | Senior | Alexandria, AL

    Moore begins her final season with the Hawks as one of the program's most accomplished runners. She currently ranks third in program history in the 5K and fourth in the 6K. Last season, she recorded a top 15 finish at the CCS Championship.

     

    Season Opener: Foothills Invitational, September 4, Jacksonville State University

  • Trevor Kutcher | LaGrange College | Freshman | Ludowici, Ga.

    Kutcher represents the Panthers on this year's Runners to Watch list as he prepares for his first collegiate cross country season.

     

    Laila Martin | LaGrange College | Freshman | LaGrange, Ga.

    Martin enters her debut season with the Panthers and will begin her collegiate career as part of LaGrange's 2026 squad.

     

    Season Opener: Saturday Night Lights, September 12, Dalton, Ga.

  • Brody Geckler | Piedmont University | Junior | Wake Forest, N.C.

    Geckler returns for his junior season after placing 17th at the 2025 CCS Men's Cross Country Championship. In addition to his championship performance, he was recognized with the conference Sportsmanship Award.

     

    Katie Payne | Piedmont University | Sophomore | Blairsville, Ga.

    Payne enters her sophomore season following a strong freshman campaign. She competed among Piedmont's top runners throughout 2025 and finished 21st at the CCS Championship, contributing to the Lions' fourth-place team finish.

     

    Season Opener: Young Harris Invite, September 4, Young Harris, Ga.