COMMERCE – Texas A&M University-Commerce cross country teams are ready to start the season on Friday evening in Abilene at the McMurry Big Country Festival.
 
The Lions head into their second season in NCAA Division I and as members of the Southland Conference. This year's schedule features four races in the regular season and the conference championships on October 27, hosted by UIW in San Antonio.
 
On the men's side, A&M-Commerce finished sixth in the Southland last season and returns Alex Speer (Robinson), who finished 18^th at the conference championships. Casey Novelo (Trinity) also had a top 25 finish at the conference championships.
 
The Lion women took eight at the SLC Championships last season and retain Alondra Campa (Kaufman) and Elizabeth Ibarra (Haltom City). The women's team also has four additions in 2023.
 
After the race in Abilene on Friday, the Lions are off next week before taking part in the Texas A&M Invitational on September 15.