Men's cross country team ready for national championship on Saturday

The Eastern Florida State College men's cross country team will compete in the NJCAA Division I National Championship on Saturday in Richmond, Virginia.

The team is coming off another Region 8 title and are looking for a strong finish at Pole Green Park.

"I have high goals for us, I expect us to run better than we did at regions, we did ok but for most of them it was their first 8K so they have that first one under their belt, better weather and a good course in Virginia, I expect a better finish than last year," Eastern Florida State College men's cross country coach Doug Butler said. "This is a great group of guys that run well together and I expect that we will have a good race."

Freshman Morgan Vici is coming off a win at the Region 8 Championship and has been getting better with each run this season.

"He has been phenomenal, he races really smart races," Butler said. "There is a group of guys that can run with him so I am expecting them to all run with him. We can't give up a minute between them. It is all about placing at the national tournament."

The program finished 17th in last year's national tournament and is competing for the third straight year.

"I am really hoping for a top 10, this is our third year and I would be disappointed if we were not in the top 10," Butler said. "Anything above that would be gravy. For a Florida school to finish in the top 10, I would really be happy with that."

The men's race will begin at 3:30 p.m.