CUTHBERT, GA - On Friday, Aug. 7, Andrew College Athletics announced the 2026 men's and women's cross country schedule, highlighted by several high-profile meets throughout the fall. Cross country returns to Andrew College this season under the leadership of Head Coach McKinley Ward-La Salle as the Fighting Tigers prepare for their first season of competition in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) and the Southern States Athletic Conference (SSAC).
"As an institution we are excited to welcome in our inaugural class for the start of the new XC/TF program," said Ward-La Salle.
The Fighting Tigers will open their five-meet regular season Friday, Sept. 4, at the VSU Border Clash at Freedom Park in Valdosta, Georgia, hosted by Valdosta State University. Andrew College will then travel to Albany, Georgia, for the Willie Laster Invitational at Radium Springs Park, hosted by Albany State University.
On Friday, Sept. 18, the Blue and Gold will head to Gainesville, Georgia, for the 14th annual UNG Cross Country Invitational, hosted by the University of North Georgia.
Andrew College will return to action Friday, Oct. 2, at the Georgia Tech XC Invitational in Douglasville, Georgia. The meet will also mark a return to familiar territory for Ward-La Salle, who previously spent time with the Georgia Tech cross country and track and field programs during his postgraduate coaching career.
The Fighting Tigers will close out the regular season Friday, Oct. 9, at the GCSU Bobcat Invitational, hosted by Georgia College & State University at the Bobcat Cross Country Course in Milledgeville, Georgia.
Andrew College will then turn its attention to postseason competition as the Fighting Tigers compete in their first Southern States Athletic Conference Championship on Nov. 6 in Clinton, Mississippi. The championship will be held at Choctaw Trails, with qualifying teams and individuals earning the opportunity to advance to the NAIA Cross Country National Championships.
The 2026 NAIA Men's and Women's Cross Country National Championships are scheduled for Friday, Nov. 20, at the Fort Vancouver National Historic Site in Vancouver, Washington. The national championship will bring together qualifying teams and individuals from across the NAIA to compete on the national stage.
"The group of student-athletes that have committed to our school have really encouraged me as a coach in the way they've expressed eagerness and taken ownership to spearhead our new team. They are the foundation of our program and are taking on a huge responsibility in facing the challenges that come for a first-year XC/TF program," added Ward-La Salle.
"Recruiting and building the program has been fulfilling to me as a coach, but now is the time for those Fighting Tigers to seize the helm and make the most of this opportunity," Ward-La Salle concluded.
Andrew College is located in Cuthbert, Georgia. Andrew College is a member of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics. The Fighting Tigers sponsor 16 sports and compete in the Southern States Athletic Conference.
