ITHACA, N.Y. – The Cornell men's and women's cross country teams begin their seasons Friday night when they travel to West Point for a tri-meet with Army and Binghamton.

Cornell's cross country teams know Army quite well, as the men have seen the Black Knights every year since 1959 and the women's squad has faced off with Army to open the season every year since 1987. While traditionally the tri-meet has included other teams like Syracuse, Cornell will be battling Binghamton for the second consecutive season.

Cornell's men now hold an eight-year winnings streak against the Black Knights.

After claiming the Cross Country Heps title last season, the women's side has high expectations and is ranked No. 4 in the Northeast Region and No. 30 in the country by the USTFCCCA to start the year. Cornell's men are ranked sixth in the Northeast Region.

Last year on the Moakley Course in this meet, the Big Red men and women came away with convincing victories over their opposition.

The women's squad scored a perfect 15 points last year as it had runners come in first through third place and fifth through seventh. Then-juniors Katie Kellner and Genna Hartung  took first and second place as the Big Red bested Army's 53 points and Binghamton's 77.

On the men's side, then-sophomore Max Groves took first place against these teams a year ago with then-senior captain Chandler Kemp taking second.

Friday's tri-meet begins at 4:30 p.m., as Cornell hopes to begin its season on the right foot.