WARRENSBURG, Mo. – The Central Missouri Mules and Jennies Cross Country team's upcoming 2026 season-opening meet has been altered.  
 
Both teams were originally scheduled to begin their seasons on Friday, Sept. 4, at the Griffon Invite, hosted by Missouri Western, but will not compete in the meet due to forecasted extreme heat.
 
The Mules and Jennies will now begin the 2026 seasons on Friday, Sept. 11, at the Queen City After Dark Meet, co-hosted by Missouri State, Drury, and Evangel Universities, taking place at the Allison Sports Town Complex in Springfield, Mo.
 
The women's 5k race will begin at 9:15 p.m., followed by the men's 6k race at 9:45 p.m., as the Mules were picked ninth in the MIAA Preseason Coaches' Poll and the Jens were picked 10^th.   
 
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