BEAUMONT, Texas – Lamar University's men's and women's cross country teams will have their first meet of the 2026 season Friday when they head across the border to Lake Charles, La., for the McNeese Season Opener. The meet will take place at the Enos Derbonne Sports Complex.
 
Before the season begins, the Southland Conference unveiled its preseason polls for both the men's and women's cross country teams. The men received 83 points to place fourth while the women collected 69 points to finish sixth.
 
The Cardinal men return 10 letterwinners from last season. Those veterans are Kenny Bibb, Geovany Cisneros, Adrian Hahn Vadstein, Dominick Luna, Luke Parker, Alexis Rodriguez, Aaron Saenz, Ryan Servantes, Riley Trent and Beau Waldrop. They are joined by junior transfer Guillame Dupre and freshmen Aaron Garcia, Matthew Medina and Aaron Nava.
 
Five members from the 2025 LU women's team return for another season led by Ashton Rainey, who earned SLC First Team honors. Other returnees include Eleana Campos, Anna Eischen, Bianka Paciorek and Lauren Polk. The Cardinals are also adding junior transfer Julie Cernoch and freshmen Madison Akers, Lauren Alpha, Dena Marie Barby, Lily Davis, Aubrey Garcia and Sara Verschure.
 
LU will be one of four SLC teams competing in this meet along with McNeese, Northwestern State and Stephen F. Austin. The women will open the 3K meet at 5:30 p.m., while the men's 5K race will follow 30 minutes later.
 

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