Senior Shawn Moore will be looking to lead the Bald Eagles to their fifth straight PSAC title. Both men's and women's cross country teams are in action tomorrow at the PSAC Championships hosted by Kutztown.

LOCK HAVEN, Pa. - The Lock Haven University men’s and women’s cross country teams are headed east to Kutztown University for tomorrows Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Championships, which will be held on KU’s North Campus course.

Both the Bald and Lady Eagles will be looking for big things on the course at KU in this year’s championships. The men’s race will mark the 50th anniversary of PSAC men’s championship cross country.

The Bald Eagles will be in search of their fifth straight PSAC title as they have been nothing short of dominant in conference championships during their impressive run. The Bald Eagles certainly have the talent to the continue their streak, but will be tested by two of the nations top 10 teams in No. 5 Slippery Rock University and No. 9 Edinboro University.

The women’s team will be looking to improve upon their sixth-place finish at the conference meet last season. Their sixth place showing last year marked a three-sport improvement from 2005.

Competing for the Bald Eagles will be senior Shawn Moore (Elverson, Pa./Twin Valley) and a trio of sophomores including Brandon Pomerantz (Holland, Pa./Council Rock North), Chris Bell (Marysville, Pa./Susquenita) and Jed Yeatts (Mercersburg, Pa./James Buchanan). Also looking to make their mark on the rich championship success of the Haven will be five freshman including Tim Getz (Lancaster, Pa./Lampeter-Srasbury), Kyle Harvey (Shinglehouse, Pa./Oswago Valley), Nick Hilton (Reading, Pa./Exeter Township), A.J. Johnson (Coventry, R.I./Coventry) and Josh Trego (Morgantown, Pa./Twin Valley).

LHU head coach Aaron Russell feels that despite his team’s youth at this year’s conference championship his men will go and do what they can to protect what they have called theirs the last four seasons.

“The men's team has really started to round into shape in practices the last two weeks. I believe they're capable of racing a lot better than their results have shown in the regular season,” Russell said.

“We're so young, taking five freshmen, three sophomores and one senior, so inexperience could affect us. These guys have a lot of heart and pride, however, so we'll see how that transfers onto the course.”

Running for the Lady Eagles will be four junior harriers including April Salinas (Mill Hall, Pa./Central Mountain), Carey Katiera (Montoursville, Pa./Montoursville), Alyssa Douma (West Milford, N.J./West Milford) and Shala Simms (Upper Darby, Pa./Upper Darby). Also competing will be sophomores Theresa Gould (Hatboro, Pa./Hatboro-Horsham) and Lindsey Scheller (Sunbury, Pa./Shikellamy) along with freshmen Jenelle Gobel (Brick, N.J./Brick Memorial) and Alexis Patrick (Mananawkin, N.J./Southern Regional).

All the pieces are there for the women’s team to have a fantastic showing and continue their climb to the top of the PSAC ranks at the conference championships.

“The women's team has so much potential, but have yet to show the intensity in their racing to bring it out,” said Russell. “With no seniors, this is a young team like the men's.”

“If they go out there and really go after it, they could surprise a couple teams who've had their number in the regular season.”

The women’s 6K race is set to go at 10 a.m. with men’s 8K race following at 11 a.m.

The recent rain will certainly impact the course, but Russell feels the keys to both races are simple.

“The course should be muddy after the rain we've had this week, and all the teams getting on it on Friday to preview it,” Russell commented. “Keys will be getting out early for good position, and staying focused on turns to avoid falls.”

Admission to the championship meet is free, but there will be $5 charge for parking which includes a meet program. Additional programs are $2.