Fourteen members of the Westmont men’s and women’s cross country teams are preparing to compete at the NAIA National Championship in Kenosha, Wisconsin on Saturday. The men’s team is returning to nationals for the third year in a row. The women’s squad makes its second appearance in the last two years.

“It feels exciting to have both teams going back to nationals for the first time in a couple of years,” said head coach Russell Smelley. “My hopes are top-10 finishes. Both teams could be in the top 10. I’d be happy with top 15 and disappointed if both teams finished over 20. I think they are better than that and better prepared both mentally and physically.

“Competing at nationals is a reflection of the athlete’s accomplishments versus a very good conference and regional competition,” continued Smelley. “It’s a great opportunity to see another part of the country and become educated in a different milieu of competition.”

Three-time Cross Country All-American Anna Stumbo will try to become just the second woman in Westmont cross country history to earn All-American honors in each of her four years. The senior, who will complete her college career at the end of this semester, also holds four All-American honors in track and field and is the reigning national collegiate champion in the marathon.

Stumbo will be joined by fellow seniors Lisa Griego and Leanne Riggins, junior Kaitlyn Dunn, sophomore Christa Juell and freshmen Katie Fritzke and Chrissa Trudelle.

Griego, a walk-on runner who holds sophomore eligibility, earned both All-Golden State and All-Region II honors this year and has the potential to add an All-American title on Saturday.

The men’s squad will be led by seniors Aaron Megazzi and Robert Cherry. Megazzi, who earned All-American honors at last year’s national championship, has been the marquee runner for the Warriors over the last four years. Cherry, also a walk-on athlete, has steadily improved over the last four years and will also contend for an All-American finish. Cherry was Westmont’s top finisher at the Region II Championship two weeks ago.

Joining Megazzi and Cherry will be senior Nick Martin, sophomore Sean Adams and freshmen Jacob Goodin and Eric Williams. Junior Andrew Dixon is also scheduled to compete but is struggling with a sore knee. If he is unable to go on Saturday, his spot will be replaced by junior Kirby Ifland.

The NAIA National Championship was held at Kenosha for 26 years from 1976 through 2002, except for 1980, but moved to Louisville, Kentucky in 2003. Its return to the Dr. Wayne E. Dannehl Cross Country Course in Kenosha is welcomed by Coach Smelley.

“It’s good to be going back to Kenosha,” said Smelley. “Louisville has been fine, but Kenosha has a certain panache to it because of the location, all grass course and the wonderful atmosphere. They host a good meet and it is nice to be in Wisconsin and the chilly weather.”

The facility is the only cross country dedicated facility in the United States. In winter months, the course, is used for cross country skiing.

“It is all grass cut through the trees and a beautiful course,” said Smelley. “The weather mans says mid-40s and cloudy at worst with a tad bit of drizzle. The course has had only .01″ of rain this fall so it is fast and ready to go.”

Kenosha’s location an hour north of Chicago will give Coach Smelley an opportunity to take the team to the Midwest’s largest urban area.

“Downtown Chicago is a very vibrant place,” said Smelley. “The team will see Chicago from the top end in the Sear’s Tower and see it from the bottom end in a grungy downtown pizza place. They’ll see it from Michigan Avenue and the slums of Cabrini Green, all within a couple of miles of each other.”

The men’s race is scheduled to be run first with a 10:30 a.m. CST start time. The women’s race will begin at 11:45 a.m.