HAMMOND – Competing in the Texas Relays is always a highlight of track season and this week Southeastern Louisiana will send 11 athletes to Austin, Texas, for the 85th annual meet.

“It's a big time meet, but we've got some big time kids we're taking over there,” head coach Sean Brady said. “Going into the meet Kovey (Simmons) and Michelle (Ogashi) have two of the best performances in the country.”

Competiton began Wednesday at the Clyde Littlefield Texas Relays with multi-events and qualification rounds. Southeastern athletes face their first competition Thursday in the 400-meter hurdles.

For the men, Abram Taylor and Tarvoris Mack will be running hurdles. Tavarus Arbuthnot, Brandon Daniels, T.J. Herbert, Brendon Mitchell, Taylor and Shaq Windley will be participating in the relays. Herbert will also be running the 100-meter dash and Simmons will compete in the pole vault.

For the Lady Lions, just three athletes will be competing. Ogashi will compete in the triple jump and Brittany Pfantz will participate in the pole vault. Nia Stewart will run the 100-meter dash and also compete in the long jump.

“Nia is healthy and we'll give her an opportunity to run in the 100 meters,” Brady said. “I think she'll set a personal best.”

Along with facing quality athletes, the meet helps determine a key component of future competition for Southeastern.

“The relays are important because they determine what lane you are in at the conference meet,” Brady said.