Nov. 15, 2007

Joplin, Mo. - After great performances at both the conference and regional meets, Grand Valley State University's men's and women's cross country teams are prepared for the National Championships. Head coach Jerry Baltes will lead his No. 3 women's team and No. 4 men's team into Joplin, Mo., looking for a perfect ending to a dominant season. The teams will take to the track on Saturday morning at 10:30 ET.

The women, who just won their seventh consecutive regional title, preceded by their seventh straight GLIAC title, will get underway at 10:30 a.m. Last season, GVSU finished in third place. The women are led by senior Susie Rivard, who will run her last cross country event in a Laker uniform. Nine years ago, the Grand Valley State women's cross country team traveled to Joplin for the first NCAA Championship meet in school history.

"We are excited to head back to Joplin," Baltes said. "Nine years ago our women competed in their first-ever NCAA Championship, and I have very fond memories of that meet. I am looking forward to our teams having the opportunity to run on a great course against great competition."

The No. 4 Grand Valley State men will run at 11:30 a.m. The team has won six straight conference and regional championships, and will look to turn that streak into success on the national level. The men finished fifth in the nation last year. With an experienced squad, headlined by seniors Nate Peck, James Gale, Nick Polk, Robbie Young, Grant Fall and Mark VanderMeer, are poised for a great meet.

"We feel if we compete to the best of our ability we can produce some great results," Baltes said. "We have great leadership and experience on both sides so we will rely on that when the gun goes off. We are very thankful for our seniors in all they have done to get us to this point. I am excited to see them go out with the best race of their careers."