The Vanderbilt men's and women's cross country teams will head to Louisville, KY this weekend for a meet featuring 65 teams from around the country.

The Greater Louisville Sports Commission will host the teams, with over 60 squads and more than 200 runners for both the men's and women's races, from 15 states in the University of Louisville's only home meet of 2008. The state park course features three hills over rolling terrain for the men's 8k, with two hills over similar landscape for the women.

"This is a great test for some on our team to really step up as fifth, sixth and seventh runners," Coach Steve Keith, Vanderbilt's head coach, said. "With a field this large you really can't absorb a big gap within your top five and especially back at the fifth-runner position."

"The old cliché, `you're only as good as your fifth runner' might very well be the case this weekend."

The 'Dores have produced solid workouts over the two weeks since their last race in the Commodore Classic. Coach Keith's teams have continued to build their strength by running longer distances in practices. They've integrated faster-than-race-pace training as well, allowing them to feel more comfortable and in control during the competitions.

"This meet will be a chance for us to test our fitness, work together as a team and run competitive times," Rhonda Riley, VU assistant coach, said. "Right now the women are healthy and anxious to see all their hard work come together.

"The men are ready to see what they can do on Saturday. They have true team chemistry, and each one of them has the dedication and competitive drive to have a great race."

Click here for the full story at VuCommodores.