2026 USC Upstate cross country schedule features Big South Championship and NCAA Southeast Regional in Spartanburg
6/11/2026 3:22:00 PM | Cross Country
USC Upstate cross country has announced its 2026 fall schedule, highlighted by four meets in Spartanburg and the opportunity to host both the Big South Championships and NCAA Southeast Regional at Milliken course.
The Spartans open the season Friday, Sept. 4 with the Eye Opener in Spartanburg before traveling to the Brevard XC Classic on Sept. 18 and Live in Lou in Louisville, Ky. on Oct. 3. Upstate then returns home for the Upstate Invite on Oct. 17 before hosting the Big South Championships on Oct. 30 and the NCAA Southeast Regional on Nov. 13.
"We are looking forward to a great fall and some great races," said head coach Carson Blackwelder, who is entering his 15th year leading the USC Upstate cross country program. "With four meets on our home course, the Big South Championships and the NCAA Southeast Regional to end the season, this will be a great opportunity for us to showcase the Milliken course and for our runners to take advantage of home-course advantage."
Upstate enters the 2026 season coming off a strong 2025 campaign. The men's cross country team finished fourth at the Big South Championship, the highest finish in program history during Big South era. The women's team also closed the season on a high note, with six of seven runners setting personal records at the NCAA Southeast Regional.
The 2026 slate is headlined by USC Upstate hosting the NCAA Southeast Regional, bringing one of the top postseason cross country events in the country to Spartanburg.
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The Spartans open the season Friday, Sept. 4 with the Eye Opener in Spartanburg before traveling to the Brevard XC Classic on Sept. 18 and Live in Lou in Louisville, Ky. on Oct. 3. Upstate then returns home for the Upstate Invite on Oct. 17 before hosting the Big South Championships on Oct. 30 and the NCAA Southeast Regional on Nov. 13.
"We are looking forward to a great fall and some great races," said head coach Carson Blackwelder, who is entering his 15th year leading the USC Upstate cross country program. "With four meets on our home course, the Big South Championships and the NCAA Southeast Regional to end the season, this will be a great opportunity for us to showcase the Milliken course and for our runners to take advantage of home-course advantage."
Upstate enters the 2026 season coming off a strong 2025 campaign. The men's cross country team finished fourth at the Big South Championship, the highest finish in program history during Big South era. The women's team also closed the season on a high note, with six of seven runners setting personal records at the NCAA Southeast Regional.
The 2026 slate is headlined by USC Upstate hosting the NCAA Southeast Regional, bringing one of the top postseason cross country events in the country to Spartanburg.
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| Date | Meet | Location | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Friday, Sept. 4 | Eye Opener | Spartanburg, S.C. | 6:30 p.m. |
| Friday, Sept. 18 | Brevard XC Classic | Brevard, N.C. | 10:00 a.m. |
| Saturday, Oct. 3 | Live in Lou | Louisville, Ky. | 10:00 a.m. |
| Saturday, Oct. 17 | Upstate Invite | Spartanburg, S.C. | 9:00 a.m. |
| Friday, Oct. 30 | Big South Championships | Spartanburg, S.C. | 9:00 a.m. |
| Friday, Nov. 13 | NCAA Southeast Regional | Spartanburg, S.C. | 9:30 a.m. |
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