Duke women’s cross country will open the 2026 season carrying a No. 26 ranking in the USTFCCCA NCAA Division I Preseason Poll, a spot that reflects how much this group has already established itself before a single race is run. The Blue Devils are set to begin Sept. 18 at the adidas XC Challenge.
That preseason position is notable for Duke on a couple of fronts. It gives the Blue Devils the highest preseason ranking they’ve had since starting the 2013 campaign at No. 4, and it stands as their best mark since checking in at No. 19 during the 2020 season. Duke is also one of eight ACC programs listed among the top 20.
The ranking comes after a strong finish to last year’s schedule. Duke closed the season by placing sixth at both the ACC Championship and the NCAA Southeast Regional, carrying momentum from an outstanding spring track and field campaign into the fall.
There’s also plenty of familiarity in the lineup. Sophomore Victoria Garces returns as the top ACC finisher for the Blue Devils, and Jayce Farmer brings added experience after transferring from BYU.
Poppy Craig-McFeely was part of Duke’s ACC lineup as well, giving the Blue Devils another proven piece from last year’s conference meet group. Duke will also lean on a promising freshman class that could make an immediate impact.
After the opener in September, Duke’s next major checkpoint comes Sept. 26 at the Meadows Challenge hosted by Princeton. From there, the ACC Championship is scheduled for Oct. 30 in Blacksburg, Va.
In Other News...
Dan Hurley Just Gave Duke Fans Another Reason To Hate UConn
Dan Hurley has never seemed shy about leaning into the edge of a rivalry, and Duke fans have had plenty to notice lately. UConns mens basketball program has been in the Blue Devils orbit for months, with the two schools trading enough public noise to keep the matchup simmering well beyond the court. Hurley added to that at NBA Summer League, where he drew a clear contrast between UConns recent success in sending players to the draft and winning championships and what Duke has been able to say for itself.
The backdrop matters because this is already a rivalry with fresh scars and fresh resentment, not just old tournament history. Duke supporters have seen UConn punctuate the conversation with a not-so-subtle scheduling nod, and the irritation only deepened when a former Blue Devil made the move to Storrs. Hurley did not need to say much to remind both fan bases where this stands, but he managed to give Duke plenty more fuel anyway. [Read more 🡒]
Duke's First Depth Chart Already Flipped Several Expected Roles
Duke footballs first depth chart for the 2026 season arrived with a few familiar names in familiar places, but plenty of the early pecking order already looks different than many around the program probably expected. With Tulane looming in the opener, the Blue Devils showed they still have real competition spots to settle, especially at wide receiver and in the secondary, where the chart offered an early snapshot of how the staff is sorting through its options.
Jayden Moore and Kavon Simmons were tabbed as co-starters at receiver, while Jaivon Solomon slid behind them. On defense, Kyon Loud claimed the starting cornerback job over returning starter Kimari Robinson, and Andrew Pellicciotta won the free safety spot over Che Ojarikre. It was also a notable development for the defensive front, where transfer Owen Wafle did not land the backup role many would have assumed was there for the taking. [Read more 🡒]
Duke Opens With A Week 1 Test That Looks Tougher Than Expected
Duke opens its football season Saturday with a Week 1 assignment that has more bite than it might have when the schedule first came out. Tulane is coming off a College Football Playoff berth, and the Green Wave have already shown they can make life difficult for the Blue Devils, which gives this opener a very different feel than a typical early nonconference tune-up. Add in a 3:30 kickoff, the usual Labor Day weekend noise and weather that could make conditions tricky, and this is the kind of first game that can say plenty about where Duke stands right away.
The challenge is not just the opponent, but the uncertainty around what Tulane looks like now. The Green Wave have gone through major coaching turnover and have adjusted their staff accordingly, so Duke is preparing for a team with recent success but a slightly altered identity. For the Blue Devils, that makes the opener even more interesting because it is hard to know how much of last seasons version of Tulane still carries over, even though the programs standards and expectations remain as high as ever. [Read more 🡒]