Sept. 2, 2010

OREM, Utah - After winning the men's and women's Great West Conference Cross Country Championships in 2009, the Wolverines enter the 2010 season with a target on their backs.

It's nothing new, however.

The women won the inaugural GWC crown in 2008 and the men finished second and as a result both were picked to with the 2009 titles. So it's only fitting after winning both titles last year the men's and women's team were tabbed as the preseason favorite in 2010.

"They aren't shying away from it. They are training like the want to defend their titles," UVU cross country coach Scott Houle said. "I think (our success) is starting to snowball and our kids are able to compete at a higher level. It'll be interesting to see where we finish. I think our women's team is a little better than last year and the men's team could be better."

The teams have already proven they have ability to deal with the preseason hype.

"So far we have been able to handle it and we've had pretty good teams that have been there and had to deal with the pressure," Houle said. "They know they have to be at their best in each race because everyone is going to compete at a high level against us."

In addition, the women's team opens the season ranked eighth in the Western Region, while the men are ranked 10th. Last year, the women finished eighth at the Western Regionals and the men finished 10th.

The two teams are looking to better their finish at this year's Western Regionals, which will be held in Salt Lake City in mid November.

The Wolverines open the season Friday at the Wyoming Invitational. Along with UVU and host Wyoming, Colorado State and Northern Colorado are in the field.

Houle said the Wyoming Invite is a perfect way to open the season.

"It allows us to go there and not feel a lot of pressure," he said. "We can see what we have and we can see how our athletes will react."

Although she won't compete Friday, senior Mary Nothum, the GWC Female Runner of the Year, is expected to continue to lead the Wolverines, as are Shelise Walker, Kodi Kleven, Aleina Eisenhauer Winger, Angela Baker and GWC Newcomer of the Year Brooke Hodson.

On the men's side, the Wolverines will look for leadership from Joshua McCabe, one of the top returners in the conference, Spencer Evensen, Tim Rowberry, Jared Keller and Trevor Baker.

Following the Wyoming Invitational, the Wolverines will compete in the first of two major meets at the Roy Griak Invitational in Minneapolis on Sept. 25 and Pre-Nationals in Terre Haute, Indiana, on Oct. 16.

"We are putting our kids out there in two big meets, and I think we can place high there," Houle said. "By us going there we feel good and confident in what our kids can do."

Along with the two big meets, the Wolverines will also participate in the SUU Invitational (Oct. 9) prior to the GWC Championships (Oct. 30) in McAllen, Texas. The NCAA Western Regionals are scheduled for Nov. 11 and the NCAA Championships are slated for Nov. 22.