WASHINGTON – A new season brings new leadership and plenty of new faces for the Gallaudet University women's cross country program.
Associate Head Coach Nykol Pratt begins her expanded role leading the men's and women's cross country programs this fall. The former Gallaudet cross country and track and field student-athlete enters her fourth season on the Bison coaching staff and will guide a young women's squad that features nine runners.
The increased numbers provide the Bison with an opportunity to build depth and consistently post a team score throughout the 2026 season. Several newcomers come to the cross country program from other Gallaudet athletic teams and will look to translate their athleticism and competitive spirit to the course.
Sophomore Jala Furdge (Brandon, Miss.) and junior Ashley Morales-Juan (Oklahoma City, Okla.) return with cross country experience and will help lead a group that features six first-year runners.
Gallaudet was picked 11th in the 2026 United East Conference preseason coaches poll.
Below is a breakdown of the 2026 Gallaudet women's cross country team.
2025 Review
United East Championship: No team score
Highlights: Gallaudet had two runners complete the 2025 United East championship race as Furdge and
Olivia Armstrong made significant improvements from when they ran on the same course earlier in the season. Furdge was later selected to the United East All-Sportsmanship Team. The Bison also earned a 2025-26 United East Team Academic Award after posting a 3.33 team grade point average (GPA).
TOP RETURNERS
Jala Furdge (Brandon, Miss.), So.
Furdge returns after a strong first season with the Bison where she competed in five races. She posted a season-best 6K time of 31:31.19 at the Virginia State Cross Country Challenge and was selected to the United East All-Sportsmanship Team. Furdge was named the women's cross country team's Most Improved runner.
Ashley Morales-Juan (Oklahoma City, Okla.), Jr.
Morales-Juan provides veteran leadership as she enters her third season with the women's cross country program. She was the recipient of the team's Coaches' Award last season and will be counted on to help lead a young group of Bison runners this fall.
KEY LOSS
Olivia Armstrong (Rotterdam, N.Y.)
Armstrong concluded her Gallaudet cross country career last fall after serving as one of the Bison's top runners throughout the season. She was named the team's Most Valuable Player at and closed out her career at the United East championship meet.
IMPACT ADDITIONS
Natalie Greene (Houston, Texas), Fy.
Greene brings a different type of athleticism to the cross country course after an impressive first year with the Gallaudet women's basketball program. The 6-foot-1 Greene was named the 2025-26 United East Women's Basketball Rookie of the Year, ECAC Division III Rookie of the Year and the Gallaudet women's basketball team MVP. Her height and long stride give the Bison an intriguing newcomer as she competes in cross country for the first time.
Dev Sklar (Brooklyn, N.Y.), Fy.
Sklar is another crossover athlete from the Gallaudet women's basketball program. The 5-foot-2 runner brings a gritty approach and competitive mindset to the cross country team. Sklar, who also competes in women's flag football, was selected to the United East All-Sportsmanship Team in both sports during the 2025-26 academic year.
QUOTING COACH
"Our Bison women's cross country team is committed to the challenge! With quite a few new faces from other sports, this group is really learning to work together. I love watching athletes connect over something new." –
Nykol Pratt, Gallaudet University cross country associate head coach.
SCHEDULE OVERVIEW
- Season Opener: at Dutchmen Invitational (Sat., Sept. 5, 10:15 a.m.)
- NCAA South Regional Course Preview: at South Region Preview (Sat., Sept. 19, 10 a.m.)
- Regular-Season Finale: at Roanoke XC Invitational/South Region Showdown (Sat., Oct. 17, 10 a.m.)
- United East Championship: hosted by Penn St.-Berks (Sat., Oct. 31, 11 a.m.)
- NCAA South Regional: hosted by University of Lynchburg (Sat., Nov. 14, TBA)
Gallaudet will compete in five regular-season meets before the United East Conference championship at the end of October.
The Bison open the season in Lebanon, Pa., at the Dutchmen Invitational on Saturday, Sept. 5, hosted by Lebanon Valley College. The season-opening meet will give Gallaudet an early look at Union Canal Tunnel Park, the same course where the United East championship will be held on Oct. 31.
GU returns to action six days later at the SU Twilight Open (Sept. 11) hosted by Shenandoah University at Kernstown Battlefield in Winchester, Va. The Bison then travel to Earlysville, Va., for the South Region Preview (Sept. 19), hosted by the University of Lynchburg at Panorama Farms. The meet gives Gallaudet an opportunity to compete on the same course scheduled to host the NCAA Division III South Regional in November.
After a two-week break, the buff and blue travel to Salisbury, Md., for the Don Cathcart Invitational (Oct. 3) at WinterPlace Park. Gallaudet concludes the regular season two weeks later at the Roanoke XC Invitational/South Region Showdown (Oct. 17) at Green Hill Park in Salem, Va.
The Bison will have two weeks to prepare for the 2026 United East Conference Championship on Saturday, Oct. 31, at Union Canal Tunnel Park in Lebanon, Pa. Penn St.-Berks will serve as the championship host.
The NCAA Division III South Regional is scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 14, at Panorama Farms in Earlysville, Va., hosted by the University of Lynchburg.
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