RICHMOND, Ky. – The Eastern Kentucky University cross country teams will compete against a vast and talented field at the Greater Louisville Classic this weekend. More than 100 teams are expected to compete in both the men’s and women’s races at E.P. Tom Sawyer State Park beginning around 9:30 a.m Saturday morning.

The EKU men’s team, ranked sixth in the Southeast Region, has won every meet it has attended in 2010, including the Memphis Twilight Classic last Saturday. The Colonel men are led by freshman Soufiane Bouchikhi, who finished second in Memphis with an 8K time of 23:17.99. Sophomore Victor Kemboi, senior Evans Kiptoo, freshman Ole Hesselbjerg and junior Musa Kimuli rounded out the men’s top five last Saturday.

The men’s team will face off against region rivals Louisville (No. 7 in the Southeast), Kentucky (No. 14 in the Southeast) and Western Kentucky, as well as the likes of Miami (Fla.), Georgia, Mississippi State, Ole Miss, Vanderbilt and Missouri.

The EKU women’s team, ranked 13th in the Southeast Region, finished second at the Memphis Twilight Classic behind the strong performance of senior Kat Pagano, who finished seventh with a season best 5K time of 17:43.25. Sophomores Picoty Leitich and Jackline Barkechir, senior Sylvia Bundotich and junior Danielle Mason rounded out the women’s top five last Saturday.

The women’s team will, for the most part, face the same field as the men, including region rivals Louisville, Kentucky and Western Kentucky.

The Colonel men finished eighth at the Greater Louisville Classic last year while the Colonel women finished seventh.

The men’s race begins at 9:30 a.m. while the women’s race begins at 10:15 a.m.

Check back to www.ekusports.com for results on Saturday.