JACKSON, Tenn. – The Union University Lady Bulldogs are ready for the 2026 cross-country season with both new and familiar faces.
The squad is led by former Union cross-country athlete Tristan Kelly, who begins his first season as head coach.
The 2026 squad is composed of six returners and three newcomers: freshmen Kayla Keener and Eloise Weaver and junior transfer Emma Madding.
Keener joins Union from Rocky Bayou Christian School in Niceville, Fla., where she competed in cross-country and track. Weaver joins the Lady Bulldogs from Whitmore Lake High School in Whitmore Lake, Mich., where she competed in cross-country and track and helped her team win three consecutive state championships from 2023-25. Madding transfers from Campbellsville University in Campbellsville, Ky.
Seniors Addi Aguayo and Victoria Markham, along with Madding, were named GSC Runners to Watch entering the 2026 season. Aguayo earned First Team All-GSC honors and produced the best individual season by a women’s runner in program history. Her season was highlighted by a school-record time of 20:32 in a 6K race and the highest finish by a Union women’s runner at the NCAA Division II National Championships. Markham earned Second Team All-GSC honors.
Following the 2025 season, Union was ranked No. 4 in the GSC Preseason Coaches’ Poll, with Lee University ranked No. 1.
Union will begin its season at the Memphis Twilight XC Classic, with the women’s race scheduled to start at 9:20 p.m., Saturday, September 5.
To stay up to date with the team, visit uuathletics.com and follow @UUAthletics on social media. Follow @UUAthleticsXC on Instagram and X.
