Miami University’s men’s and women’s cross-country teams will be two of over 120 schools competing in the Pre-Nationals meet at the University of Louisville Saturday.

This group includes 15 nationally ranked teams.

Men’s Head Coach Warren Mandrell knows the competition will be tough.

“Hopefully we’ll be competitive; there will be a whole lot of teams,” Mandrell said. “Several teams are nationally ranked. It tends to be very competitive.”

The men are ranked 11th in the NCAA Great Lakes region. The only Mid-American Conference (MAC) school ranked higher than the ’Hawks is Eastern Michigan University at sixth.

The RedHawks hope to compete with their top two runners: senior Jarrod Eick and redshirt senior Steve Kiplagat. Both Eick and Kiplagat missed the last meet with minor injuries.

“We hope they will run; that’s the plan,” Mandrell said. “They both looked good and back to normal in a hard workout on Friday.”

Eick believes he will race Saturday.

“I’m trying to get back into [racing] after missing the last meet,” Eick said. “I’m trying to get back into the swing of things.”

As for the team, Eick expects the RedHawks’ to be a tough competitor in the large field.

“We want to finish in the top half of the race,” Eick said.

Eick is not looking past this meet, but he thinks it will show where the ’Hawks stand.