Dallas, Texas – The Northwestern State track and field teams begin the five-meet regular indoor season at the Dunamis Indoor Opener on Friday.

"This is the first time we have ever competed this early in the year, so it was a good chance to give our kids something to look forward to," associate head coach Adam Pennington said. "I think us starting in December, as opposed to our usual January start time, gives us a little bit more of a push during training." 

NSU is sending six competitors, Demon All-Americans Amir James and Micah Larkins and the Lady Demon 4x400 relay team. 

James, a senior, is competing in the 400-meter, despite being the defending Southland Conference 200-meter indoor champion where his record-breaking time of 21.15 supplanted former Demon Justin Walker as the SLC indoor record holder. 

Larkins, a junior, will run the 200-meter, where he placed 11th in the Southland Conference Indoor Championships with a time of 21.81 as a sophomore. 

"Both Micah (Larkins) and Amir (James) have looked outstanding this fall," Pennington said. "They both bring experience, and I expect them to use it. They should not back down from anyone this season." 

On the women's side, NSU will compete in the 4x400 meter relay, where the Lady Demons are the defending Southland Conference Indoor Champions in the event. 

There is a little twist on the team for Friday, as two freshmen, Diana Granados and Deja Moore, have broken into the lineup. They are joining defending Southland Conference Athlete of the Year De'Shalyn Jones and last season's breakout freshman, Natashia Jackson. 

"I know we return all four girls that were conference champions in this event, but the newcomers are ahead of the other two right now," Pennington said. "Diana (Granados) and Deja (Moore) came right in, trained hard, stepped up and earned a spot on the relay team for this meet." 

James' 400-meter start time is set for 1:15 p.m. and Larkins will lineup at 3:40 p.m. The group of Lady Demons is a part of the night cap, as the 4x400 relay begins at 8:25 p.m.