HAMMOND, La. – The Southeastern Louisiana University cross country teams get their first steps of the 2025 season in on Friday evening, taking part in the Battle for New Orleans meet, co-hosted by New Orleans and Tulane, at Lake Oaks Park.
 
The Lady Lions will run a four-kilometer course at 5:15 p.m. while a five-kilometer course awaits the Lions when the starting pistol fires at 5:45 p.m. along the New Orleans lakefront. Live results will be available through Arrow Live Timing and the host institutions.
 
Southeastern's women's team will be bolstered by the return of the top runners from the last two seasons. Nikola Vimmerová and Ava Pitarro. Vimmerová's expected return to the Lady Lions this year comes after missing all of the 2024 cross country season. She continually led the pack of SLU runners in 2023. Pitarro took the spot in front for the Lady Lions in 2024, earning a chance to run at the NCAA South-Central Regional. Laney Gardner is the third and final returner from 2024 set to run for the Lady Lions in 2025.
 
Four new runners will make their debuts this year. Callie Arthur, JoAnna Cornette, Mya Parker, and Alexis Pitts will all looks to make an impact in their first season with Southeastern.
 
The Lions are also going through a change with two seniors leading the way, Darian Chestnut and Landen Schillage. Junior Triston Watford is the only other upper classman set to run this season.
 
Two sophomores bring some expertise back to the Southeastern men this year, Bryce Johnson and Tanner Salsman. Three true freshmen will try to put their stamp on the team this season as Matthew Berthelot, D'Juan Joseph, and Matthew Norman take their first steps as collegiate cross country runners this year.
 
The Battle for New Orleans is the first of four meets SLU has scheduled prior to the Southland Conference Championships in 2025. After Friday is the LSU Invitational on Sept. 12 in Baton Rouge, which represents the only cross country relay on the schedule.
 
PODIUM CLUB/S CLUB
Fans interested in becoming active supporters of the track and field program are encouraged to join the Podium Club. Lion alums are encouraged to join the exclusive S Club, which is restricted to Southeastern athletic letter winners. All membership fees and donations to Podium Club are available for the exclusive use of the Southeastern track and field program. Membership information is available by contacting the Lion Athletics Association at laa@southeastern.edu or (985) 549-5091 or visiting www.LionUp.com.
 
SOCIAL MEDIA
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