The first trip is for Pre-Nationals, which takes place this year on Oct. 13. The second trip is to compete in the NCAA Cross Country Nationals Nov.,”Every year during the second weekend in October, distance runners from around the country make what they hope will be the first of two trips to Terre Haute, Ind.

The first trip is for Pre-Nationals, which takes place this year on Oct. 13. The second trip is to compete in the NCAA Cross Country Nationals Nov. 19. Assuming they

make it, that is.

"It's a big one," the Golden Eagles' head coach Mike Nelson said of this Saturday's Pre-Nationals event.

Nelson's statement, while simple, is very true. The Pre-Nationals meet is one of the largest races all season in terms of the sheer number of teams competing, boasting almost 90 total men's and women's squads. But the meet is also classified as "a big one" because of its significance.

The way Nelson explains it, there are two ways for teams to punch their return tickets to Terre Haute for Nationals. The first is by placing in the top two at the Great Lakes Regional meet on Nov. 10. There are nine regions and each one sends two teams.

The second option for teams is to earn one of 13 at-large bids. To do this, teams must earn the most at-large points. The easiest way to accrue at-large points is to beat ranked teams, although placing high at large meets such as this weekend's won't

hurt either.

"The Great Lakes Region (Marquette's region) is one of the most, if not the most competitive region in the country," Nelson said.

In other words, earning an at-large bid looks like Marquette's best chance of getting to Nationals in November.

"We are going to have to beat some ranked teams if we want to have a shot to get into Nationals on both sides," Nelson said. "Pre-Nationals is the best opportunity all year to earn at-large points."

What Nelson means is that 23 of the top 30 women's teams in the country and 27 of the top 30 men's teams will be competing in Terre Haute on Saturday.

"Whoever we can pick off in this meet will help us," senior captain Cassie Peller said. "If we could finish in the top 10 that would be phenomenal."

Because the event is so large it is split into two separate races, each of which is meant to be equally competitive. Last year the Marquette women finished 16th at Terre Haute and the men finished 29th overall.

"It's sort of crazy since it's such a wide open meet," Nelson said. "Many teams that aren't ranked are going to surprise people. It's going to be very interesting."

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