BILLINGS, Mont.- Rocky Cross Country kicks off its 2026 campaign on Friday evening, competing in a pair of 5K races at the MSU Bobcat Twilight in Bozeman. 

Action on Dyche Field, located on the Montana State University campus, begins with the men's 5K at 7:20 p.m. MT, followed immediately by the women's 5K at 7:45 p.m. MT.

The Battlin' Bears will measure themselves against a competitive field featuring Frontier Conference rivals MSU-Northern, Montana Tech, Montana Western, and Carroll College. Rounding out the competition are Dawson Community College, MSU Billings, the University of Montana, and host Montana State.

Though neither squad will race the 5K distance come championship season, where the men step up to an 8K and the women to a 6K, this opening race provides an early test to establish momentum for the fall.

A slate of newcomers is set to make their collegiate debuts in Bozeman, joining key returners on the men's squad who look to build on a banner 2025 campaign.