SEARCY - The Harding men's cross-country team enters the 2026 season positioned as a primary contender for the Great American Conference crown after placing second in the GAC Preseason Coaches' Poll with 42 total points and one first-place vote. Under head coach Don Hood, the Bisons slot just behind five-time first-place vote recipient East Central (46 pts) while holding off Oklahoma Baptist (41 pts) in a tight top-three battle.

Roster & Top Returners

• Noah Haileab (5th-year): The 2022 GAC Freshman of the Year anchors the lineup following an individual 3rd-place finish at the 2025 GAC Championships (24:13.2) and a team-best 25th-place finish at the NCAA Central Regional (31:27.2).

• Ryan McCarn (4th-year): Returned to the top pack after taking ninth individually at last year's conference championship in 24:36.4.

• Upperclass Scoring Core: 4th-year Aidan Bailey (14th GAC, 24:56.1), and 4th-year Brady Axtell (25th GAC, 25:34.3) offer experienced varsity depth to plug the gap left by departed top-10 finisher Nate Perry.

• Impact 1st-year runners: Incoming distance runners Isaac Ekitela and Benson Lingokal (Eldoret, Kenya) bring high potential to the scoring five.

Program Legacy & Championship Outlook

Harding carries one of Division II's richest distance traditions, backed by 42 all-time conference championships (29 AIC, 10 GSC, 3 GAC) and 9 NCAA Division II top-10 national finishes. Following a 3rd-place conference team finish and 9th-place regional mark in 2025, the Bisons seek to tighten their pack time to unseat East Central.

2026 Key Meet Schedule

• Sept. 5: City Auto Memphis Twilight XC Classic (Memphis, TN)

• Sept. 11: 6th Annual Steve Guymon Invitational (Searcy, AR)

• Oct. 3: 25th Annual Live in Lou Louisville Classic (Louisville, KY)

• Oct. 16: Arturo Barrios Invitational (College Station, TX)

• Nov. 7: GAC Championships (Enid, OK)

• Nov. 21: NCAA Central Regional (Sioux Falls, SD)