MACON, Ga. | The Columbus State University Men's and Women's Cross Country teams opened the 2026 season Saturday (Sept. 5) at the Julius Johnson Invitational, with the Cougar women turning in a second-place team finish to highlight the season-opening meet.
The women finished as the top NCAA Division II program in the field and placed five runners inside the top 20. Hadiya Ali led the Cougars with a ninth-place finish, completing the course in 20:52.12.
Layla Albright followed in 11th with a time of 21:10.12, while Anna Norton placed 15th at 21:44.12. Noah Griffeth crossed the line in 16th at 21:52.13, giving CSU four runners among the first 16 finishers. Emmalee Johnson rounded out the Cougars' scoring five, placing 21st with a time of 22:12.62.
On the men's side, Columbus State battled to a fifth-place team finish. Shaun Williams paced the Cougars, earning a top-20 finish with a time of 20:55.19. Moses Adams was next across the line for CSU, placing 23rd in 21:21.12, while Ian Palomares finished 30th with a time of 21:48.58.
UP NEXT:
The Cougars return to action Friday (Sept. 11) at the Willie Laster Cross Country Invitational in Albany, Ga.
