CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA – The Johns Hopkins women's cross country team opened the 2026 season Friday morning at the Virginia Invitational, hosted by the University of Virginia. The Blue Jays placed fifth in the six-team field with 132 points, finishing ahead of sixth-place Howard.
 
North Carolina and Virginia claimed 16 of the top 21 individual spots, but Carter Brotherton led the way for the Blue Jays, crossing the finish line first for Hopkins in 17:50.2 to place 22nd overall. Brotherton's performance helped lead a pack of eight Blue Jays who finished among the top 50.
 
Among Hopkins' scoring runners, Sydney Shock finished just outside the top 30, placing 31st in 18:08.9, while freshman Alexia Tubbs crossed right behind her in 33rd with a time of 18:09.7. Freshmen Kira Dye and Abby Artabane rounded out the Blue Jays' scoring five, finishing just three seconds apart. Dye clocked an 18:44.4 to place 40th, while Artabane finished 42nd in 18:47.
 
Johns Hopkins, which was ranked third in both the USTFCCCA Division III Preseason Poll and the D3 Glory Days Poll, will return to action October 2. The Blue Jays will split their squad between the Paul Short Invitational, hosted by Lehigh, and the Running of the Cows D3 Pre-National Invitational, hosted by Carleton College.