NEW ORLEANS, La. – The Southeastern Louisiana University men's and women's cross country competed in the first meet of the 2026 season Friday, taking part in the Battle for New Orleans at Lake Oaks Park.
 
The SLU men captured a team finish of sixth in the 5K race. Tanner Salsman led the charge, earning a 22^nd-place finish with a personal-best time of 16.00.6. D'Juan Joseph (17:34.2, 46^th), Sabien Perry (17:58.1, 53^rd), Matthew Norman (18:06.6, 57^th), and Aiden Touchet (18:14.2, 58^th) all finished within the top 60 runners. Joseph's time of 17:34.2 and Norman's 18:06.6 mark were both personal bests.
 
Matthew Berthelot (18:32.1) and Manny Portillo (18:37.8) also recorded personal-best marks, taking 62^nd and 63^rd places, respectively. Freshmen Peyton Dufrene (19:28.6, 69^th), Tekoah Simpson (20:56.8, 78^th), and Tristin Gill (20:59.3, 79^th) helped Southeastern secure sixth.
 
The Southeastern women ended Friday in eighth place in the 4K race. Crossing the finish line in the lead for SLU, Ava Pitarro took 37^th place, clocking a 15:58.2 mark. Mya Parker took 63^rd with a time of 18:19.4, with Alaisah Gray (19:32.7) completing the race in 71^st. Carrie Duke (21:38.9) and Callie Arthur (23:15.3) were the next Lions to end the race, taking 83^rd and 86^th in the meet, respectively.
 
The SLU cross country teams are set to compete in the Azalea City Classic, hosted by South Alabama at Langan Park in Mobile, Ala. on Saturday, Sept. 26. Live scoring for the meet will be available on the cross country schedule page at www.LionSports.net.
 
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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