With the top two teams automatically qualifying for Nationals, the Virginia men's and women's squads have a berth set in their sights as they head to the Cross Country Regional Championships tomorrow in Greenville, N.C.
In addition, two or three other schools will likely be extended an at-large bid and the top four runners whose teams do not make the cut will also be handed invitations.
The men's squad's last big race came at the ACC championships at Wake Forest on Nov. 1 where they slipped to a third-place finish. Perhaps a little too pumped up for the meet, the men's team charged out of the gate, but were unable to maintain the fleet pace through the end.
But using their experience at ACCs to their advantage, the men are confident about the upcoming Regionals.
"All of our hard work is done," Virginia coach Jason Dunn said. "It's just a matter of having faith that we've put in a lot of hard work."
He later commented on how, after running out of gas at ACCs, the team will now focus on running in packs to conserve energy.
"If we have to go out there and run a disciplined race, then I'm confident we'll make it to nationals."
Virginia's favorite to win Regionals is junior Will Christian. Having been named ACC Cross Country Performer of the week earlier this year, and with a solid third place finish at ACCs behind him, the word is out about Christian and other teams certainly fear that he could win it all.
"I expect Will to give us a low stick that will help our team score," Dunn said. "I just want to put him in a position to best help the team. It's all about our team making it to nationals. If we can get ourselves there, then we'll work on individual things."
On the women's side, faced with a very inexperienced team, it has been a year of slow growth. But, with all the pieces hopefully falling into place, the Cavaliers could also find themselves with a ticket to Nationals after Saturday.Although the top three teams in the region, N.C. State, North Carolina and Wake Forest, are pretty much set for a trip to Nationals, the next two or three spots could be available for Virginia's taking.
The women's team is confident about their prospects after handily defeating two teams expected to finish around fourth or fifth, Duke and William & Mary, at the Pre-Nationals race earlier this year.
Like Christian for the men, the women also hold an individual qualifier candidate in senior Jane Maxwell. After witnessing an eighth place finish by his star runner at ACCs, coach Dunn feels confident in Maxwell's ability but stresses that she needs to finish in the top 10 again.
"I think she has a shot to be an individual qualifier. I really want that for her. If the team can't make it, I definitely want Jane to make it. I think she's ready to go."
After a good week of practice, and some difficult meets in the past, both the men's and women's squadrons will put their seasons on the line on Saturday.
"All year long, we've had this on our minds," Walt Kingsberry, the second runner on the men's team, said. "And it's finally right in front of us, all we have to do is reach out and squeeze it."
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