By Steve Holt, Sports Writer

The men’s cross country team is expected to win its 13th straight Lone Star Conference Championship Saturday in Durant, Okla. The Wildcats enter the conference meet ranked No. 4 in the nation, behind Adams St. (Colo.), Western St. (Colo.), and California State-Chico.

The women’s team is unranked nationally but looks to be a favorite for the conference title, as they are the highest ranked LSC team in the South Central Region poll (No. 4). Junior and No. 1 runner Adeh Mwamba said she expects good things out of her team Saturday.

“I think that as a team we are all ready,” she said. “Each and everybody is getting ready for conference, and as an individual, everybody is prepared to do good. All the girls are working hard to win conference.”

She said the team’s main goal is still ahead, though.

“Conference isn’t going to be a hard, serious meet – the main thing is nationals,” she said.

Other teams expected to compete include Angelo State, West Texas A&M, Tarleton State, Eastern New Mexico and East Central.

Last weekend, the men’s team took first and the women’s team took second at the Subway/South Plains College Cross Country Festival in Levelland. Freshman Laurent Ngirakamaro earned LSC Runner of the Week, after placing second in the four-mile race with a time of 19:23.9. Mwamba won the women’s race in 17: 20.8 over five kilometers.

Should any of the Wildcat runners advance from the LSC Championships, head coach John Murray said they will compete in the NCAA South Central Regional meet in Joplin, Mo., on Nov. 6.