The Gulf South Conference Men’s and Women’s Cross Country Championships returns to Hoover for its second year at Veteran’s Park.

Local school, the University of Montevallo is one of 15 women’s teams that will compete in the 5-K championship race, which begins at 9 a.m. An 11-team, 8K men’s race will follow.

Freshman Ginny Davis has led Montevallo this year, along with sophomore January Waters and freshman Katerine Schofield. They will look to lead Montevallo to its best finish in the GSC Championships since the program formed in 2005.

“The best we have finished in our program’s history is eighth place out of 15 teams. We have talked all season about taking the next step and moving up to a top 6 team,” Montevallo head coach Michael Marquardt said. “It helps that we have three ladies that have a chance at being our first ever all conference performers. January, Ginny, and Katherine have carried this team to this point and I cannot wait to see them race tomorrow. We also need a big race from Katie (Munkus), Lindsey (Golay) and Whitney (Adkins). These 3 ladies have worked extremely hard and are ready to have their best performance of the year.”

Golay helped lead UM to an eighth-place finish in 2006, while Waters led the way to a ninth-place finish last year. Davis will see what she can do this year, as she was named one of three freshmen to watch by the GSC office.

UM will have its work cut out, as three-time defending champion Harding University is the favorite to win the race. Following them is the University of Alabama-Huntsville, ranked No. 24 in the nation, and top region teams Arkansas Tech, West Florida, North Alabama and West Georgia.

Harding, ranked third in the nation, is also the favorite for the men. The Bisons are led by two-time GSC Individual Champion James Cheruiyot. But the defending state champions Alabama-Huntsville are not to be overlooked.

Complete coverage of the Men’s and Women’s Cross Country Championship Meets can be found at www.gulfsouthconference.org.