CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. - Austin Peay State University men and women's cross country teams will compete with the big boys at the Eighth Annual Greater Louisville Classic, Saturday. Both teams will compete in the blue race, with the men starting at 11 a.m., followed by the women at 11:45 a.m.

"The key to this race will be getting out strong," said head coach Doug Molnar. "If you don't start strong in a race like this, it can get away from you quickly."

Competing against 41 teams, the men will need productive days from senior Andre Braima and sophomore Enock Langat, who have been the top two runners for the Govs. However, the Govs will definitely need three of the group of senior Antonio Diaz, sophomores Boniface Yator and Evan Collins and freshmen Nick Gammon and Konnor Kessler to round out the scoring for the Govs.

"Kessler has really looked good the last couple of weeks," said Molnar. "We still need somebody to grab onto the fifth spot and solidify it, but right now we want to see how we stack up."

On the women's side, sophomore Janelle Avery will need to battle back from a disappointing finish at the Vanderbilt Invitational. Senior Shamai Larsen and freshman Alyssa Molnar will provide a solid middle of the order for the Lady Govs, while senior Kate Gauf, junior Tracee Gruskiewicz and sophomore Hannah Scruton will round out the scoring.

"Gruskiewicz and Molnar have closed the gap in practice; now they need to do it in the meet," said Molnar. "We've been getting better in practice and both squads are well-rested and ready to go."

- AP -