THIBODAUX, La. – The Nicholls State University cross country teams will travel to College Station, Texas to compete in the Arturo Barrios Invitational, hosted by Texas A&M University, at Watts Cross Country Course, on Saturday, Oct. 15.
 
WHAT: The Arturo Barrios Invitational
WHEN: Saturday, Oct. 15 | Men's 8k 9:00 am |Women's 6k 9:45 am
WHERE: Watts Cross Country Course | College Station, Texas
 
The 41-team field at the meet will feature 29 NCAA South Central Region teams including eight Southland Conference teams, 31 combined (women & men teams) that are regionally ranked, and Ohio State University women's team (#24) will be the lone Nationally ranked team.

Nicholls head cross-country coach Stefanie Slekis is excited to see her teams compete against the SLC and ranked opponents that will be in attendance.

"With the number of teams attending it will feel like a true South-Central region preview and we will also have the opportunity to see every Southland Conference team over the conference championship distance of 6k & 8k besides Northwestern State and Southeastern," Slekis said. "The Arturo Barrios Invitational is a premier event on a course capable of hosting the NCAA Championships."

Slekis spoke about what she has seen from the Colonels since their previous competition and what an impressive showing can do for them moving forward.  

"Both our men's and women's teams have put together a strong training block since we last raced at LSU, so I am looking forward to them testing themselves against a large and strong field," Slekis stated. "If we can have a great day this is an ideal opportunity to become a regionally ranked team if we race up to the potential, we have seen in practice the last 3 weeks." 

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