LAKE CHARLES, Louisiana – The University of the Incarnate Word men's and women's cross country teams are prepared to turn some heads at the 2018 Southland Conference Championships on Friday at the Enos Derbonne Sports Complex in Lake Charles, Louisiana. The women's race will begin at 8:30 a.m. CT while the men's starting gun goes off at 9:30 a.m.
 
Both races will be streamed on Facebook Live courtesy of the Southland Conference 
 
THE CARDINALS
The men's team is feeling confident heading into tomorrow's race and for good reason. UIW returns its top four runners from last year's third-place team result: seniors Garett Cortez, Deion Hardy, Jorge Quintero and Adam Herrera. Cortez and Hardy finished 4th and 5th, respectively, at last year's race, while Quintero finished 19th, his highest conference finish. Herrera crossed the line in 35th.
 
The Cardinals are the second highest ranked team on the course and are coming off nearly three weeks of rest and preparation after winning the UIW invite (Oct. 6). 
 
Another Cardinal to watch is freshman Baptiste Jard. The Frenchman finished second at the UIW Invite and was top 10 at the Ken Garland Invitational (Sept. 15).
 
On the women's side, a tantalizingly close race with the 2017 SLC Champion, Abilene Christian, resulted in a second place finish for the Cardinals at the UIW Invite. That finish is fueling the women's squad in their quest for a conference title.
 
Freshman Alia Henderson and senior Danielle Martinez look to lead the pack as the women hope to improve on their sixth place finish from the 2017 SLC Championship. Martinez finished 19th at last year's conference race.
 
THE OPPONNENTS
            Men's Race
To reach the top on the men's side, UIW will have to power past five-time defending champion, Lamar. LU has won 16 titles in its history and will be a key storyline to watch as the races begin. The Cardinals of Beaumont are ranked No. 5 in the South Central Regional poll, two slots above UIW.
 
The hosts, McNeese, finished second in last year's race, the Cowboys have been ranked as high as No. 5 in their regional polls, but enter Friday at No. 12 in the South Central Region.
 
Stephen F. Austin looks to field a competitive team this season. The Lumberjacks have earned a No. 9 ranking in the South Central Regional polls, two spots behind UIW.
 
Other teams to watch on Friday include: No. 15 Southeastern Louisiana, Abilene Christian, Central Arkansas, Houston Baptist, New Orleans, Nicholls, Northwestern State, Sam Houston State and Texas A&M-Corpus Christi
 
            Women's Race
On the women's side, the target lies squarely on the backs of Abilene Christian. The defending champions have won two titles in the last three years, but graduated its top three runners from 2017. UIW will look to take advantage of that turnover this time around.
 
Lamar fields a strong team on the women's side as well. The 2017 runners up enter the race ranked No.13 in the region, despite having lost its three top runners from last season.
 
Texas A&M-Corpus Christi enters play as the highest ranked team in the conference, No. 12. This will be a key team for UIW to battle with for positioning if the Cardinals are to accomplish their goals.
 
Other teams in the women's field include: McNeese, Central Arkansas, Houston Baptist, New Orleans, Nicholls, Northwestern State, Sam Houston State, Southeastern Louisiana and Stephen F. Austin.

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