Kearney, Neb. – The Nebraska-Kearney cross country team heads to Chicagoland this Saturday to run in one of the largest and toughest NCAA Division II meets of the year.

The fifth annual Lewis University Crossover, the nation's largest D2-only meet, brings together 35 men's and 38 women's squads from around the country. The women's 6k goes off at 10 a.m. with the men running an 8k and starting at 10:45 a.m. Live results are available from a race held in Romeoville, Ill.

Outside of the NCAA Championships, this meet brings together the most diverse and talented field. Schools from almost every region are taking part with the men's field featuring 12 of the Top 30 schools in this week's U.S Track & Field/Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) national poll. The women's field has nine nationally-ranked squad including Grand Valley State (No. 2) and Augustana (No. 5).

UNK is currently ranked ninth (women) and 10th (men) in the Central Region. In order to be considered for an at-large bid to the NCAA meet November 23 in Sacramento, the Lopers need to finish ahead of top competition in order to pick up regional and national points. The NCAA field consists of 34 teams with the top three finishers at regionals (24 total) heading to Cali with the remaining 10 teams selected based on performance during the year.

To date the Loper men have run in two races, the Augustana Twilight (5th of 10) and the Woody Greeno/Jay Dirksen Invite (10th of 18) at UNL. The UNK women also ran at Augie (4th of 25) and then changed their schedule to run in Doane's Dean White Invite (3rd of 9).

This is the final regular season meet of the year for Kearney as the MIAA Championships (Oct. 26) and NCAA Central Regional (Nov. 9) are up next.