LAKELAND, Fla.- The Florida Gulf Coast Eagles hit the road for their final regular season meet of the season on Friday as they make the short trip to Lakeland to defend their crowns at the Ed Holloway Classic. 

The FGCU men have finished in the top three at all three of their meets so far in 2026, earning them a top 15 ranking in the USTFCCA South Region poll for four weeks running for the first time in program history. Siyabonga Mokgothu has led the Eagles in each of the past two meets while Innocent Ntwali and Evan Casterline have each turned in strong performances at the top of the field as well for FGCU. Friday will have a different look to it for the Eagles however as a new pack will have their chance to shine with Mokgothu, Ntwali, Casterline, and Victor Kemboi, their top four runners this season, sitting out the event while preparing for the upcoming ASUN Championships. 

The Eagle women will look to build on a season best third place finish in their last outing at the Nike Town Twilight. Up front for FGCU this season has been Alise Petrova who finished fifth in the Eagles last meet while freshman Rhyen Foley notched her first top 10 finish at the collegiate level the last time out in Terre Haute. Juliana Courville, Addison Torres, and Tess Shultz have all also been consistent point scorers for FGCU all season. 

Friday's women's 6k race at Holloway Park in Lakeland will begin at 5:45 p.m. with the men's 8k getting underway 30 minutes later at 6:15 p.m.. 

For more information on the Eagles, follow them on Instagram, X (Twitter) and Facebook, and visit FGCUathletics.com.