DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Bethune-Cookman announced its 2025 Women's and Men's Cross Country schedules on Wednesday, Aug. 13, featuring five regular season meets with the potential NCAA postseason competitions in both the South Regional and NCAA Championship.
 
Under the direction of Garon Jackson, B-CU Director of Track & Field / Cross Country, the Wildcats open the 2025 slate August 29, competing in the Florida Intercollegiate Cross Country Invitational hosted by North Florida in Jacksonville at 7 p.m. The meet marks the beginning of a schedule that includes four competitions within the "Sunshine State".
 
"We're excited about the opportunities this schedule provides our student-athletes," said Jackson. "Our ability to face tough competition without having to leave the state of Florida puts us at a great advantage as we look towards the opportunity of trying to claim another SWAC Championship."
 
Following the season opener, Bethune-Cookman will stay at home, so to speak, competing in the Embry-Riddle Cross Country Classic in Daytona Beach. The annual event takes place on September 13, beginning at 7:20 a.m. That meet will be followed by a trip to Tallahassee for the Seminole Invite taking place September 26, with the first race scheduled to begin at 7 a.m.
 
The only regular season out-of-state event occurs October 11, with the Maroon and Gold traveling to Jackson's home state of South Carolina for the 18th Annual Sand Shark Invitational hosted by USC Beaufort in Hardeeville. That event kicks off at 8:30 a.m.
 
The regular season culminates October 21, with the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) Championship in Tallahassee at 9 a.m., where the Wildcats will compete for the conference title and automatic qualification to the NCAA Championships.
 
Should the team qualify, Bethune-Cookman would advance to the NCAA South Regional Championships on November 14, in Huntsville, Alabama. The top finishers from regionals earn berths to the NCAA Championships on November 22, in Columbia, Missouri.
 
"I like that our team is focused on the season ahead, and everyone is ready for a big year," continued Jackson. "I know the entire staff and team are focused on winning a SWAC title, and that's exactly what we're going to try and do as we look to get better each and every meet leading up to Tallahassee [Fla.] in late-October."
 
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