Warrensburg, Mo. (Oct. 19, 1999) - Central Missouri State cross country coach Kirk Pedersen is hoping his men's and women's teams can duplicate the feat of CMSU's indoor track and field squads last February by capturing both MIAA championships this weekend.

The 1999 MIAA cross country championships will be conducted Sunday (Oct. 24) at the University of Missouri-Rolla. The women's race (6,000 meters) is scheduled for noon, with the men's race (8,000 meters) to follow at 12:45 p.m. on the UMR Golf Course.

The Mules are aiming for their fifth straight men's MIAA title and their seventh in the 1990s. In winning last year's championship, the Mules placed all five runners in the top 15 to score 38 points and outdistance runner-up Northwest Missouri State University, which had 47. Those same five runners will be in the Mules' contingent for Sunday.

Junior Vladimir Golias, who placed fifth in last year's meet and who was third in 1997, is the Mules' top runner and a strong candidate to win the individual title. The Mules will also send Matt Lucas (third last year), Greg Winter (fourth last year), Brayce Forsha (11th last year) and Joe Conley (15th last year) to the starting line. They'll be joined by sophomores Paul Bennett, Jay Hill, Mike Knutson and Joe Mack, all of whom have had top five finishes for the Mules this season.

"It's going to be a big challenge to try to win a fifth straight title," Pedersen said. "The men's competition in the MIAA is as strong as it's ever been, with three teams (the Mules, Missouri Southern State College and Truman State University) ranked nationally in the top 15."

Pedersen thinks the Jennies have a chance to make significant improvement, after finishing sixth in last year's MIAA meet. "If we run very well, we'll have a chance for a high finish," he said. "If we run poorly, we'll be back in the pack."

Sophomore Rachel Harvey is the Jennies' top runner and figures to be in contention for the individual title. She hasn't finished lower than fourth in a meet this season and was third in last year's MIAA meet as a freshman, finishing behind two seniors. Pedersen sees Truman State and Pittsburg State University as the team favorites in the women's race. Missouri Southern is the defending team champion.