EVANSTON, Ill. (July 9, 2026) – Coming off one of the most successful seasons in program history, Northwestern head cross country and track coach Jill Miller released the Wildcats’ schedule for the upcoming 2026 cross country season on Thursday. The ‘Cats are scheduled to see action in four regular season meets ahead of beginning postseason competition in late October.
“This schedule gives our team the opportunity to compete on some of the biggest stages in collegiate cross country,” Miller said. “We’re excited to embrace those challenges, continue our growth, and carry last year’s championship experience into an exciting new season.”
Fast 'Cats 🔜 pic.twitter.com/lIU97n8X9O
— Northwestern Athletics (@NU_Sports) July 9, 2026
Miller will raise the curtain on her eighth season at Northwestern on September 4 when the ‘Cats make their first of three trips to Madison, Wis. for the Badger Preview. An early look at LaVern Gibson Championship Cross Country Course, site of November’s NCAA Championships, follows on September 19 at the John McNichols Invitational in Terre Haute, Ind.
Just six days after returning from the Hoosier State, the ‘Cats will be in action close to home, making the short trip south to Montrose Harbor for the Loyola Lakefront Invitational (Sept. 25). Regular season action concludes two weeks later at the prestigious Nuttycombe Invitational (Oct. 9) in Madison, Wis.
Postseason competition takes center stage on October 30, as the University of Wisconsin plays host to the Big Ten Conference Championships at the Thomas Zimmer Championship Cross Country Course. Northwestern heads west to Ames, Iowa as the calendar turns to November for the NCAA Midwest Regional (Nov. 13). Indiana State University will play host to the NCAA Cross Country Championships on November 21.
Miller, who was named Midwest Region Coach of the Year by the United States Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA), piloted the ‘Cats to a program-record No. 8 ranking in the national poll last season.
Led by a trio of All-Big Ten honorees, Northwestern recorded its best finish at the Big Ten Championships since 1986, placing third overall. That performance set the stage for a comprehensive team effort at the NCAA Midwest Regional, as, behind five All-Region picks, the Wildcats placed second overall to secure the program’s fourth berth to the NCAA Championships. Northwestern went on to take 18th at the national meet, its top finish on cross country’s grandest stage since the championship field’s expansion in 1998.
Northwestern’s complete 2026 cross country schedule follows.
2026 Northwestern Cross Country Schedule
Sept. 4 – at Badger Preview (Madison, Wis.)
Sept. 19 – at John McNichols Invitational (Terre Haute, Ind.)
Sept. 25 – at Loyola Lakefront Invitational (Chicago, Ill.)
Oct. 9 – at Nuttycombe Invitational (Madison, Wis.)
Oct. 30 – at Big Ten Championships (Madison, Wis.)
Nov. 13 – at NCAA Midwest Regional (Ames, Iowa)
Nov. 21 – at NCAA Championships (Terre Haute, Ind.)