EVANSVILLE, Ind.—The University of Southern Indiana men's and women's cross country teams return to action Saturday when they compete at the NCAA II Midwest Region Championships in Big Rapids, Michigan.

USI's men, ranked sixth nationally, are searching for their seventh straight trip to the NCAA II National Championships, which are November 22 in Spokane, Washington. The Screaming Eagles, who captured their seventh straight GLVC title two weeks ago, need to finish in the top three at regionals in order to advance to nationals.

Senior Brendan Devine and junior Michael Jordan figure to be amongst the top runners at the regional meet this weekend. Devine, the GLVC Runner of the Year, finished first at the GLVC Championships, while Jordan, who has been USI's top runner for much of the 2011 campaign, was second at the league meet.

USI's women, who may be without the services of senior All-American and GLVC Runner of the Year Jackie Henderson this weekend, are looking for their first trip to the national meet since 2009 and their ninth trip in the last 16 seasons.

Henderson, who led the Eagles to a first-place finish at the GLVC Championships by capturing the conference's individual title two weeks ago, is nursing a foot injury. If she cannot go, look for junior Lauren Minor, who was fourth at the league meet, to pace the No. 18 Eagles Saturday.

USI, which needs to finish in the top four Saturday to advance as a team, could also get a boost from junior Emily Haines, who finished 10th at the GLVC Championships.

The NCAA II Midwest Region Championships, which will be held at the Katke Golf Course, begins at 10:30 a.m. (CDT) with the women's 6k race. The men's 10k race follows at 11:30 a.m.