BISMARCK, N.D. -- The Bismarck State College cross country program, under the direction of third-year head coach Julia Hammerschmidt, has announced its schedule for the 2026 season as the Mystics men's and women's teams prepare for another run through the Frontier Conference.

"I'm really excited about the group we have coming back and the newcomers joining us this fall," Hammerschmidt said. "We've put together a schedule that gives our athletes some great opportunities throughout the season. We'll start with a fun twilight meet under the lights in Moorhead, and having two meets in town this year will be great for our athletes and supporters. We're a young and developing group, so our focus is on getting better each week and building toward the conference meet. Hosting the Frontier Conference Championships on the same course will also be a great opportunity, especially for our returners, who already know it. Our goal is to be at our best when it matters most and hopefully punch some tickets to nationals."

The Mystics will open their 2026 campaign on Friday, Sept. 4, at the Dragon Twilight meet in Moorhead, Minn., hosted at SCHEELS Field at Nemzek Stadium. The women are scheduled to race at 8:10 p.m., with the men following at 8:40 p.m.

BSC returns home to Bismarck for the Marauders Home Opener on Friday, Sept. 11, at McDowell Dam. The meet is hosted by cross-town rival University of Mary (N.D.), giving the Mystics an early-season measuring stick against familiar competition on familiar turf.

The Mystics then hit the road for the Jimmie Invitational in Jamestown, N.D., on Friday, Oct. 2, before returning to McDowell Dam for the Marauders Tune-Up on Friday, Oct. 23, their final tune-up before the postseason stretch.

BSC will close its regular season at the Frontier Conference Cross Country Championship on Friday, Nov. 6, in Billings, Mont., at Amend Park, where individual runners finishing in the top 15 will qualify for the NAIA Cross Country National Championship. That meet follows two weeks later on Friday, Nov. 20, at the Fort Vancouver Historic Site in Vancouver, Wash.

The 2026 schedule features six meets, including two home dates at McDowell Dam. Fans can follow the Mystics' results and updates throughout the season on BSCMystics.com and BSC Athletics' social media channels.
 

Be sure to visit BSCMystics.com and download the MysticNation app to continue to stay up to date with everything going on in Mystic Athletics.

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