Oct. 10, 2000

SEATTLE--The Washington men's and women's cross country teams will compete at the Michigan Interregional meet in Ann Arbor Sunday.

The No.4-ranked women's team will take on No.13 Michigan, James Madison, and LaSalle at the meet.

The women will look to beat possible bubble teams in order to ensure an NCAA bid.

'We are in prettty good position right now,' coach Greg Metcalf said. 'We have beat three teams that will be automatic qualifiers to the NCAAs. We are looking to build on what we have done so far. We have not fired on all cylinders just yet, with people being sick or coming back from injuries. The Michigan meet gives us another racing opportunity before the championship part of the season begins.'

The No. 20 Husky men will be on a quest to triumph over bubble teams and to have a good showing against No. 24-ranked Michigan, a team the UW men beat earlier in the season at the Sundodger Invitational.

'This is an important meet for our men, it could determine whether we are a bubble team or not,' Metcalf said. 'Based on regional polls, Michigan, Texas, James Madison and Florida are all going to be among the top two or three in their regions. For at-large qualifiers, each bubble team's win/loss records are looked at and the head to head meetings. Beating possible bubble teams is important to our post-season. We have won every meet we have entered so far this year, and if we race how we are capable of, we will take care of business this weekend. We have gone up there the last three years and Michigan has beaten us, and this time they will also be fired up to avenge their loss to us at the Sundodger. It will be good for us to go and race quality teams that we need to beat if we are going to qualify for the NCAAs.'

*Standing Strong

The women's team remained steady at fourth in the NCAA coaches' poll released Oct. 9, after an idle weekend. The team is still ranked second in the West Region.

*Joining the Ranks

The men's team fell to No. 20 from last week's No. 18 spot in the NCAA poll after the open weekend. The men remain fifth position in the West region poll.

*Where They Were

Last season, the Washington women won the Michigan Interregional meet with 42 points. The men's team placed third at last year's meet in Ann Arbor behind host Michigan and James Madison.