Oglethorpe University's women's cross country team opens its season at the Foothills Invitational on Friday, Sept. 4, under new interim head coach Margaret Fox.

Fox is a former Canadian Olympian and NCAA Division I national champion. She takes over after serving two seasons as a top assistant under former head coach Kari Elliott. Director of Athletics Todd Brooks announced the hire on June 4, calling Fox "instrumental in the growth and success of our cross country and track & field teams."

The Brookhaven university's roster features eight runners. Three freshmen join the squad: Andrea Akwete, Alana Harp and Jacqueline Mendoza-Perez. Sophomore transfer Tallulah Newell is also new to the program.

The returning core is built around sophomore Kirsten Rose, who won Southern Athletic Association (SAA) Rookie of the Year at the 2025 conference championships with a time of 23:27.6. Rose and senior Evelyn Parral both earned spots on the SAA academic honor roll in spring 2026. Parral was also named to the SAA All-Sportsmanship Team.

Parral is the team's lone senior. The season preview notes she will be the program's only graduating runner this year.

Sophomores Sybella Bertolini and Mari-Rosa Colon round out the returning group.

Kelly Rothwell, promoted from the coaching staff, steps in as top assistant coach alongside Fox.

Fox's credentials stretch well beyond the Division III level. She qualified for the 2000 Olympics after winning an NCAA title in the 4x400-meter relay at Rice University, where she is a member of the Athletics Hall of Fame. She also won a bronze medal in the 100-meter and 200-meter dashes at the 1995 Junior Pan American Games.

As an assistant at Oglethorpe, Fox coached 10 athletes to break program records in 22 events and helped guide athletes to 11 SAA all-conference honors. One of her athletes won the SAA title with a conference record in the 400 meters.

The Petrels finished sixth at the 2025 SAA Championships. The conference championship meet is scheduled for Oct. 31, with the NCAA South Regional on Nov. 14 and the NCAA National Championships on Nov. 21.