Rice University Athletics
Friday, September 11
Houston, Texas
6:50 p.m.
Rice University
vs
Rice Invitational
Owls Set for Season Debut at Rice Invite
9/10/2026 9:48:00 PM | Men's Cross Country, Women's Cross Country
HOUSTON – Rice men's and women's cross country opens the 2026 campaign Friday afternoon at the 50th annual Rice Invitational at the Rice Intramural Fields. The women's 4000m race will begin at 6:20 p.m. and the men's 5200m race at approximately 6:50 p.m.
The Rice women's cross country team returns several top runners for last season's squad, including two-time All-Conference honoree and third-place finisher Oliwia Kopeć. The Owls also boast All-Region honorees Alex Gobran and Daphne Mayer.
Rice was picked third in the 2026 American Conference Preseason Coaches Poll, and are currently 10th in the USTFCCCA South Central Region poll.
The men's team is led by 2024 All-Region honoree Gus Gannon, a two-time reigning Rice Invitational champion. In addition, Ben Tijerina and Brandon Martz will also make their returns this weekend for the team.
The Owls were picked fifth in the 2026 American Conference Preseason Coaches Poll, and are currently eighth in the USTFCCCA South Central Region poll.
Rice Invitational Schedule:
5:30 pm - COLLEGE RACE (1 Mile)
5:50 pm - YAHOO RACE (open to all runners - 2900 M)
6:20 pm - University-Women (4000M)
6:50 pm - University-Men (5200M)
Rice Invitational Teams:
Concordia (M/W)
Hill College (M/W)
Houston Christian (M/W)
Huston-Tillotson (M/W)
Prairie View (W)
Rice (M/W)
St. Thomas (TX) (M/F)
Texas Southern (M/F)
The Rice women's cross country team returns several top runners for last season's squad, including two-time All-Conference honoree and third-place finisher Oliwia Kopeć. The Owls also boast All-Region honorees Alex Gobran and Daphne Mayer.
Rice was picked third in the 2026 American Conference Preseason Coaches Poll, and are currently 10th in the USTFCCCA South Central Region poll.
The men's team is led by 2024 All-Region honoree Gus Gannon, a two-time reigning Rice Invitational champion. In addition, Ben Tijerina and Brandon Martz will also make their returns this weekend for the team.
The Owls were picked fifth in the 2026 American Conference Preseason Coaches Poll, and are currently eighth in the USTFCCCA South Central Region poll.
Rice Invitational Schedule:
5:30 pm - COLLEGE RACE (1 Mile)
5:50 pm - YAHOO RACE (open to all runners - 2900 M)
6:20 pm - University-Women (4000M)
6:50 pm - University-Men (5200M)
Rice Invitational Teams:
Concordia (M/W)
Hill College (M/W)
Houston Christian (M/W)
Huston-Tillotson (M/W)
Prairie View (W)
Rice (M/W)
St. Thomas (TX) (M/F)
Texas Southern (M/F)
Players Mentioned
/ Men's Cross Country
/ Women's Cross Country
Distance
/ Women's Track & Field
/ Men's Cross Country
/ Women's Cross Country
/ Men's Cross Country
Wednesday, March 09
Saturday, December 04
Thursday, December 02