Men's NCAA Video Preview | Women's NCAA Video Preview
 
PORTLAND, Ore. --- The No. 7 Portland Pilots men's cross country team will head to Terre Haute, Ind. this weekend to compete for the NCAA National Championship. Also making the trip will be senior Tansey Lystad of the women's cross country team who will be competing for the individual title. The races will take place on Saturday, Nov. 22 at the Lavern Gibson Cross Country Course beginning with the women's race at 9 a.m. (pacific), followed by the men's at 10 a.m. (pacific).
 
The men's team qualified for the National Championship with an automatic bid after placing second at the NCAA West Regional last weekend. Last year the Pilots placed seventh overall, matching a program best which was set in 2001 and 2008. Portland has finished in the top 14 in each of the past 12 years.
 
"The team is quite confident that this will be our best-ever national meet," said men's head coach Rob Conner. "Of the eight runners we will take to Terre Haute, seven have competed at the nationals in the past. We have a lot of experience and that should be a key factor in our success."
 
This year marks the first time since 2007 that Portland will be represented in both races. Lystad qualified for the National Championship after placing sixth at the NCAA West Regional, which tied the all-time best finish by a Pilot with Nicole Karr who did it back in 1994.
 
"Tansey ran a smart, gutsy race to qualify for the national meet, but she definitely has more in the tank for this weekend," said women's head coach Ian Solof. "She is a tough competitor and is always ready to perform at the big meets, so I have total confidence in her. No one gets more excited to race than Tansey, and I can't wait to see her mix it up with the best runners in the nation."
 
There will be a watch party for the event in the Hall of Fame room of the Chiles Center. For more information click here.