On Saturday, Marquette’s men and women’s cross country teams will compete at the Roy Griak Invitational, held at the Les Boland Golf Course on the campus of the University of Minnesota.

The No. 30 ranked women’s squad is one of eight teams ranked on the most recent FinishLynx NCAA Division I National poll. In addition to the Golden Eagles, Arizona State (#7), Providence (#11), Princeton (#14),UC Santa Barbara (#15), Baylor (#20), Indiana (#22), and North Carolina (#27) round out the talented 33- team, six-kilometer race.

"We are very excited to be traveling to such a prestigious meet with so many nationally ranked teams.” said head coach Dave Uhrich of his women’s team. “Our confidence is high after performing so well in our first meet and we are looking to show that we are one of the better teams in the country.”

On the men’s side, the Golden Eagles will take part in the 26-team race field, which includes 10 nationally ranked teams. Wisconsin (#1), BYU (#4), Cal Poly (#8), Arizona State (#11), Ohio State (#13), Butler (#15), Iowa (#16), Providence (#24), Minnesota (#25), Michigan (#27), and Michigan State (#30) will also compete on the hilly five-mile course.

"Going against this type of competition will be a great early season test for our young runners.” Uhrich said. “With so many nationally ranked teams in the meet it will offer a different challenge than at the Bradley Open, where we took first place and had the individual winner."