BEAUMONT, Texas – The Southeastern Louisiana University cross country teams head into the most important meet of the season Friday, the Southland Conference Cross Country Championships.

Hosted by conference-member Lamar at Tyrrell Park, the men's 8-kilometer race will begin at 9 a.m. followed by the women's 6-kilometer race at 10 a.m.

“We've seen significant improvement on both sides,” head coach Sean Brady said. “The men and women have come a long way since they reported in August. Heather Fitzhenry has really dedicated herself. She broke a toe recently, but we still think she's going to rise to the occasion Friday.”

Baton Rouge-native Joseph LeGrange turned in the men's top 8K time at the Choctaw Open last time out (27 minutes, 14.04 seconds) while Fitzhenry owns the Lady Lions' top 6K performance this season. She completed the LSU Invitation in 22:55.1 on Sept. 22.

The Southeastern men and women are both looking for their first conference championship.

Lamar leads the men's teams in number of cross country championships with 11 while McNeese State has won seven, winning its last title in 2000. Former Southland member Abilene Christian, who will return to the conference in 2013, has won seven titles. Lamar holds the conference record for most consecutive titles with six.

Stephen F. Austin leads the women's teams with six championships. A&M-Corpus Christi and Lamar have four titles apiece.