The Frontier Conference Cross Country Championship is Friday in Dillon, Montana hosted by Montana Western. The Montana Tech Oredigger men run first at 10:30 a.m. and the women follow at 11:30.

"The women have had a tremendous season so far and consequently the target is on our back," said head coach Zach Kughn.

The Oredigger women finished second to Carroll College at the Frontier Conference Preview Meet in Dillon back in September, but took the top spot at the next two conference meets. Tech has defeated every NAIA team they have faced at least once this season. The Orediggers are currently ranked No. 16 in the NAIA Coaches Top 25 Poll.

The Saints are ranked No. 20 in the most recent poll and Rocky Mountain just entered the Top 25 at No. 24.

"With both Carroll and Rocky being ranked now, it's going to be a great battle to see who can come out on top. We are eager to prove ourselves as the top Frontier Conference team yet again and secure our bid for the national meet."

The Oredigger men finished second at the Frontier Conference Preview Meet and took third at the next two conference outings.

"The men's race is pretty wide open as now none of our conference members made the last national poll. This means with good certainty we know that only the winner will get to go the national meet. I don't think anyone outside of our camp is looking at our men's team expecting us to win but that hasn't stopped us from preparing to try and outperform the rest of the conference on Friday."

The winning team automatically qualifies for the national tournament. A team can receive an at large bid if they are ranked in the top 30. The national meet is in Vancouver, Washington on November 19^th.

The top four finishers not qualifying on a team also make nationals. Becca Richtman and River Sheppard have finished in what would be an individual qualifying spot at all three conference meets this year.