LAKE CHARLES, La. -- Fresh off a two-week break, the University of the Incarnate Word men's and women's cross country teams will return to action Saturday for the first road meet of the 2026 season.

The race, dubbed the McNeese Cowboy Stampede, will serve as a bit of a precursor to the Southland Conference Championships, with both races being held at the Enos Derbonne Sports Complex in Lake Charles, La. Aside from the Cardinals and McNeese State, the SLC will also be represented by Northwestern State.

Women's competition will begin at 8:30 a.m., with the men running immediately after.

Meet information

TEAMS COMPETING: UIW, McNeese State, Louisiana-Lafayette, Northwestern State, Southern, Community Christian College (Men only), Lyon (Men only)

WOMEN'S RACE: The Cardinals were highly consistent in two home races to open the year, finishing second to Texas State at both the seven-team Sam Musgrave UIW Twilight and the 11-team UIW Invitational. 

At each meet, Emily Torres was Incarnate Word's top runner. The Del Rio, Texas native took second at the 4K Twilight in 14:37.37 and seventh at the 5K Invitational, crossing the line in 17:38.

McNeese's Uxue Catro-Martin comes in as the reigning Southland Conference Runner of the Week after pairing with teammate Rylee-Kai Challenor for a third-place finish at the LSU Twilight Relay Invitational.



MEN'S RACE: After winning the Sam Musgrave UIW Twilight to open the year, the Cardinals are looking to rebound after a disappointing third-place run at the UIW Invitational.

Jared Laverty, who was third in 18:38.48 at the Twilight, has UIW's highest individual finish so far. Christian Castro-Cruz -- who was fourth at the Twilight (18:43.39) and eighth at the Invitational (25:45) -- and Ethan Malesich, who finished fifth at the Twilight (18:45.18) and 10th at the Invitational (25:49) -- both have two top-10 finishes under their belts this season.

The Cowboy Men's Stampede will feature two athletes fresh off of conference Runner of the Week awards. McNeese's Greg Martin won the SLC honor after leading his team to a win at the LSU Twilight Relay, while Lafayette's Matthew Maynard won the Sun Belt Conference honor after a strong showing at the Texas A&M Aggie Invitational.

For live race results, click here.