The Misericordia men's and women's cross country teams will compete this weekend at the NCAA Mideast Regional Meet. The race will be held on Saturday at Lehigh, one of the fastest courses in the region.

The women will be led by senior Ali Ostrum, the Cougars' best chance to qualify for the national meet. Ostrum ran 22:41 in a 6k earlier this season at Lehigh, and will look to improve her career PR of 22:40 (also at Lehigh) at this weekend's meet.

Freshman Marina Orrson has been just behind Ostrum all season and earned first-team All-MAC honors with a seventh place finish at the conference championship meet. Her best time this season is 23:18.

Also competing on the women's side will be two other newcomers: Kelsey Cameron and Marcie Cusatis. Rounding out the team is sophomore Aimee DiLucido, junior Amanda Radishofski and senior Kayla Weaver.

Frank Redmond put up the second fastest 8k time in school history with a 26:41 at Lehigh last month, and will lead the men's side. Redmond has a chance to earn All-Region honors with a good race on Saturday.

Junior Pat Noonan and senior Ryan Garges have again put up solid seasons, while four freshman round out the men's top seven: Brent Salsman, John Gibbons, Kyle Suponcic and Anthony Powell.

The Cougars will unfortunately be missing one of their top runners, as Pat Blaskiewicz is out with a stress fracture.

Head Coach Chris Wadas hopes that both Ostrum and Redmond can make a run at the Misericordia school records on Saturday. The women's record is 22:10 (held by Amy Bower), while Wadas holds the men's mark at 26:32.