ARCATA — Displaying a determined work ethic and new-found commitment in early races this fall, Humboldt State's cross country runners are ready to take the next step when the compete at this week's California Collegiate Athletic Association Championships.

Held in Whittier Narrows Regional Park in South El Monte, the meet is hosted by Cal Poly Pomona. It begins with the men's 8,000 meters at 9 a.m., followed by the women's 6,000 meters at 10 a.m.

Meet Notes
Winning last year's titles at the race hosted by HSU at Beau Pre Golf Course, was Chico State on both the men's side and women's sides. Individual champions were Vivien Wadeck of Cal State L.A. and Jimmy Elam of Chico State. …Runners can preview the course Friday afternoon. Also held that afternoon is the declarations meeting. Each team is allowed 10 athletes. Later in the evening, all participants will be treated to a banquet. …The first 15 finishers of each gender will be awarded all-conference certificates. The winner of each race will be declared CCAA Most Valuable Athlete. Also honored as Freshman of the Year will be the first true freshman, and Newcomer of the Year is an award voted on by the coaches, who will also choose Coach of the Year.

Course Notes
Whittier Narrows Regional Park's course follows a flat, packed dirt trail that circles Legg Lake. There are no hills on the course.

Men's Notes
Humboldt State's goal will be to at least equal last year's third-place finish, and possibly move into the second position behind Chico State. The Wildcats are the heavy favorite again, and are ranked No. 1 in the West Region in this week's USTFCCCA NCAA Division II poll. …Humboldt State is ranked eighth, a spot the Jacks have held much of the season. Ahead of them in the No. 6 and 7 positions, respectively, are CCAA squads from UC San Diego and Cal Poly Pomona. …Carrying the Jacks hopes will be a trio of runners who have led the way all season, backed by a solid support pack. Eric Malain, Austin Huff and Nico Arguelles have established themselves among the frontrunners, and will be looking to break up the Chico State pack. Hunter Daniel, Joe Ostini, Robert Gustas, Roberto Quintero and Derek Lactaoen have closed the gap and given the Jacks a good chance at success."We have a top three that can press the pace, but it's going to take the whole team stepping it up," HSU head coach Scott Pesch said. "We need our fourth and fifth runners to come through." …Training-wise, HSU's men are in the first phase of peaking, with the actual focus to be in top form at the Nov. 20 NCAA Division II West Region Championships.

Women's Notes
Moving up from last year's 6th-place finish is the Humboldt State women's team's goal. They'll be in the mix with several balanced squads, hoping for a break-through from one or more athletes. …Senior Irene Graham has established herself as the Jacks' No. 1 runner, leading the way in all previous races this fall. Amanda Camarillo and Tess Dahlgren have swapped the No. 2 position in recent races. Melinda Magee and Christina Perez were the Jacks' fourth and fifth runners at the Western Classic two weeks ago, but Alizah Rotman and Jeannie Castell have also been in the scoring pack this fall.…Humboldt State's secret weapon could be sophomore Bridget Berg, who has yet to race this fall while nursing several injuries. Berg has maintained her fitness throughout with alternative training, and Pesch said there is an 80 percent possibility of her racing at the CCAA meet. …Unlike the men, the women are on schedule to reach their season peak Saturday. "Our women are ready for a big race," Pesch said. "There are a few teams in there that we'll be competing against, so if they all have a big day they could definitely move up from last year's finish."