The University of Evansville cross country teams are set for their last meet of the 2010 season. The Purple Aces travel to Rochester, Michigan for the NCAA Great Lakes Regional Championships on Saturday. The women’s 6-K race is scheduled to begin at 11:00 a.m. central time, with the men’s 10-K race to follow at 12:15 p.m.

The Aces were last in action at the State Farm Missouri Valley Conference Championships on October 30th. The men took home a sixth place finish, tying their best performance at the MVC Championships. The women finished in ninth, which is also the best they’ve finished at the event.

Senior Ryan Witters has been the pace setter for the men all season long. Witters led the men with a 21st place finish with a time of 25:48.95 at the MVC Championships. Senior Max Cordier (32nd, 26:36.04), junior Brian Denny (42nd, 26:57.33), freshman Andrew Barrett (43rd, 27:03.09) and senior Chris Kipchirchir (56th, 27:45.66) helped lead the Aces to their sixth place finish at the MVC Championships.

Sophomore Lauren Zeabart has been the young leader for the women this season, leading the women in each race this fall. At the MVC Championships, Zeabart finished 23rd in a time of 18:40.71. Freshman Kelby Jenkins (34th, 18:55.23), juniors Melissa Truex (52nd, 19:30.52) and Lauren Shaftlein (55th, 19:36.51) and sophomore Shelby Cron (56th, 19:37.03) rounded out the top five for the women at the MVC Championships.

“Everyone’s attitude is where it needs to be and I think we’re ready for this weekend,” said UE head coach Don Walters.  “We’ve had great practices the last two weeks and everyone is where they need to be at this time of the year.  Both teams have worked hard all season, and I don’t doubt they will perform well Saturday.”