FORT MYERS, Fla.- The 2026 FGCU Women's Cross Country season is set to get underway on Friday at the Florida Intercollegiate Invitational in Jacksonville with the Eagles entering the year with high hopes after being picked third in the ASUN Preseason Coaches Poll.

The Eagles bring back seven returners from last year's team that finished fourth at the ASUN Championships. It marked FGCU's first back to back top five finishes at the conference meet in the past 10 seasons. Leading the returners are Alise Petrova and Tess Shultz who both turned in top 25 finishes at the ASUN Championships last season as well as Addison Torres and Samantha Ruiz who helped the Eagles to a program record for team average in the event in 2025.

A new face expected to make an immediate impact for the Green and Blue is Julianna Courville who comes to FGCU from Louisiana where she was a two-time NCAA Regional qualifier for the Ragin' Cajuns.

"The team has built an incredible foundation over the summer, and I couldn't be more excited to see what they accomplish this season" Eagles head coach Argeo Cruz said. " I'm excited to see this group continue to come together, get stronger, and push each other to new heights. This team has something special, and I can't wait to see it unfold!"

The opening gun of 2026 will go off at 6:30 p.m. Friday at Cecil Field Golf Course in Jacksonville in a 5K race.

Fans can follow along the action HERE or by following the Eagles on Instagram, X (Twitter) and Facebook, and visit FGCUathletics.com.