COMMERCE – The 2025 schedule for the East Texas A&M University cross country teams was unveiled on Monday as the Lions prepare to begin their first season as full Division I members.
 
The Lion men and women are slated to compete in four races during the regular season followed by the Southland Conference Championships and the NCAA South Central Regional Championships, which mark the first NCAA postseason event in the Division I era, with goals of advancing to the NCAA National Championships.
 
The season begins on September 6 at the UT Tyler Opener, followed by the UIW Invitational on September 12.
 
East Texas A&M is once again set to take part in the Chile Pepper Festival on October 4 in Fayetteville, Arkansas. The Lions close out the regular season at the Watson Classic in Clinton, Mississippi, a meet that the Lion men won a year ago.
 
Northwestern State serves as hosts of the Southland Championships this year on October 31, while the NCAA South Central Championships take place on November 14 in Fayetteville, Arkansas, at the University of Arkansas.
 
The top team and individual performers at the regional championships will be in consideration for the NCAA National Championships, which are hosted by the University of Missouri on November 22.
 
2025 LION CROSS COUNTRY SCHEDULE

Date	Race	Location
Sept. 6	UT Tyler Opener	Tyler
Sept. 12	UIW Invitational	San Antonio
Oct. 4	Chile Pepper Festival	Fayetteville, Ark.
Oct. 17	Watson Classic	Clinton, Miss.
Oct. 31	SLC Championships	Natchitoches, La.
Nov. 14	NCAA South Central Championships	Fayetteville, Ark.
Nov. 22	NCAA National Championships	Columbia, Mo.