Eastern University Men's Cross Country is prepared for the NCAA Division III Cross Country Mideast Regional Race at DeSales University tomorrow. The Eagles are on that course for the second time this year and the third time in the past two seasons. The Eagles finished fourth of 25 teams in a race at DeSales in early October. That race was used as preparation for bigger races to come. Tomorrow's race is the biggest of the year for the Eagles.

Eastern had a program-best ninth place finish at last year's Mideast Regional. Head Coach Mike Wilson believes that his group has the depth and talent to make another jump in the standings this season and an outside shot at extending the 2018 campaign.

The region features three teams in the top 10 in the USTFCCCA National Rankings and another in the top 25, so despite what will likely be muddy conditions, the pace figures to be very fast. Haverford (4) Johns Hopkins (6), and Carnegie Mellon (7) figure to occupy several spots in the top 35 with Dickinson (23) also helping to set the pace. It will be a challenge for another team to break into that group to earn a spot in next weekend's National Championships, but a strong effort by a fifth team might earn an at-large spot in the race. In addition to qualifying teams, the top individuals not on a qualifying team will earn a spot in next weekend's race in Oshkosh, Wisc. With four nationally ranked programs in the race, top individuals could come from the as far back in the field as the mid 20's.

The Eagles spent three weeks in the Regional Rankings, but have been outside the top ten since September. Wilson hopes for strong runs from each of his seven runners to move back into the top ten to finish the year. He also believes that a good day for the team could have the group pushing for an individual qualifier. Greg Thomas has led the Eagles all season. He finished 40th in last year's Regional Championships.

Click here for course maps and race details.