Baker and Bowers To Lead UniRoos at 2026 FISU World Cross Country Championships

16 of Australia’s top student-athletes are bound for the 2026 FISU World University Cross Country Championships in Cassino, Italy next month, where many will don the green and gold for the very first time.

The team consists of four athletes in both the Men’s and Women’s 10km, as well as the Men’s and Women’s 3km, forming a well-rounded contingent for the championships which will be held from March 14-15 where Australia will compete for both team and individual success.

Thomas Bowers (VIC, David Lightfoot, Monash University) will lead the Men’s 10km quartet having finished in 13^th place of the Half Marathon at the 2025 FISU World University Games, racing alongside a rising John Maguire (NSW, Des Proctor, Wake Forest University) who has 29:37 credentials to his name over 10km and strong track speed.

The Women’s 3km will mark one of Australia’s best lineups in Cassino, spearheaded by Australian Under 20 champion over 3000m Imogen Baker (VIC, Peter Schuwalow, Monash University) and Kobi Walker (QLD, Kyle Levermore, University of Missouri).

At 18-years-old, the race will signal Baker’s first race on international soil and Australian team debut – also gunning for the 2026 World Athletics Under 20 Championships later this year.

“I’m thrilled about heading to Italy to test my abilities against some of the fastest university athletes in the world,” Baker said.

“It’s a dream to don the Aussie kit, and I’m eager to learn and gain more experience in international racing.

“Plus, I’m definitely looking forward to the pre-race pasta and post-race pizza!”

Charli-Rose Carlyon (WA, Dick Telford, University of Canberra) has World Cross Country Championships experience to her name and will pave the way for the Women’s 10km, while Shaun Harris (ACT, Dick Telford, University of Canberra) will look to build on his international experience at last year’s Australian Athletics Under 23 Tour in Taiwan.

The 2026 FISU World Cross Country Championships will be held in Cassino, Italy on March 14-15. More than just a competition, the championship reflects FISU’s core values: excellence, passion, team spirit, as well as showcasing academic and cultural diversity.

The full Australian team can be found below.

Women’s 3km:

Imogen Baker (VIC, Peter Schuwalow, Monash University), Skye Ellis (VIC, Jill Miller, Northwestern University), Mia Roux (VIC, Tim O’Shaughnessy, The University of Melbourne), Kobi Walker (QLD, Kyle Levermore, University of Missouri)

Men’s 3km:

Ben Bishop (NSW, Ben Liddy, The University of Sydney), Cooper Giles (SA, Michael Nitschke, Flinders University), Rylan Semenas (ACT, Des Proctor, University of Canberra), Shaun Harris (ACT, Dick Telford, University of Canberra)

Women’s 10km:

Charli-Rose Carlyon (WA, Dick Telford, University of Canberra), Leyla Liakatos (NSW, Andae Kalemusic, La Trobe University), Bridget Lunn (ACT, Robbie Bolton, The Australian National University), Alice Oakley-Kerr (VIC, Tim O’Shaughnessy, Deakin University)

Men’s 10km:

Thomas Bowers (VIC, David Lightfoot, Monash University), Rohan Hickey (QLD, Drew Box, Griffith University), Aaron Nitschke (SA, Michael Nitschke, Adelaide University), John Maguire (NSW, Des Proctor, Wake Forest University)

By Lachlan Moorhouse, Australian Athletics