BEAUMONT, Texas – With precautions still in place due to the COVID-19 pandemic, another of Lamar University's 17 varsity sports will taking a step toward normalcy Friday when they travel to Corpus Christi, Texas to open the 2020 fall season in the Contender Crossfit Islander Open hosted by Texas A&M-Corpus Christi. The three-day individual format tournament is the lone date on the Cardinals' fall schedule.
 
The tournament will be much smaller than in previous years due to concerns surrounding the virus. It will consist of just three teams and a handful of Islander alumni. The other two teams competing in the weekend tournament will be host A&M-Corpus Christi and former Southland member UTSA. Action is slated to kick off Friday afternoon (official start times have not yet been released) and run through Sunday.
 
The tournament will consist of one draw of 16 for singles and a draw of eight for doubles competition. Each player is guaranteed four singles matches and three doubles competitions.
 
The Cardinals will be sending two veterans to go along with two newcomers. The returning players traveling will be juniors Axel Vila Antuna and Joshua Taylor. They will be joined by freshman Brandon Do and sophomore Bo Cautaerts.
 
The tournament will begin with one round of singles and one round of doubles Friday, followed by one round of doubles and two rounds of singles Saturday. Sunday's final round will look similar to Friday's matches with one round of singles and one doubles.