PEORIA, Ill. -- Following a week off from competition the Wichita State University men's and women's cross country teams will stretch their legs again as they compete in the NCAA Midwest Regional, hosted by Bradley University on Saturday, Nov. 13.

"We are excited about seeing where we stack up in the region," said head cross country coach Kirk Hunter.

The women enter the race ranked ninth in the region.  The Shockers are the top ranked Missouri Valley Conference school in the regional rankings that also includes Illinois State (12th) and Missouri State (14th).  Iowa State holds down the top spot in the regional rankings with Minnesota and Tulsa rounding out the top three.

WSU is coming off a sixth straight conference crown where the Shockers had the individual champion (Tonya Nero), all-conference award winner (Leah Thompson) and the Valley Coach of the Year in Kirk Hunter. 

The men, who were picked seventh before the meet, ended up seventh after a valiant effort throughout the race.  The men's team dealt with injuries to key runners throughout the season which hampered them during the conference meet when several runners were unable to go or were just entering their first competition this year.

Senior Marius Sava represented the Shockers on the medal stand at the conference meet where he garnered his first All-MVC award in cross country. 

"Our women will need to run at another level, but that is what we expect to do.  All seven will need to bring their 'A' game.  We are prepared well so we just need to execute our plan.  The men are looking to run well individually.  They too are prepared and we hope for strong performances from each of them."