THIBODAUX, La. - The Nicholls State University cross country teams will travel to the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville, to compete in the 2023 Division I NCAA South Regional Cross Country Championships, on Friday, Nov. 10. 

The women's 6k race is set for 10:30 a.m. and the men's 10k will start at 11:30 a.m. at Argi Park, at the home of the Razorbacks. 

The meet features 29 teams in the men's race and 27 teams in the women's. In the men's 10k the Colonels will face two nationally-ranked schools in No. 7 Arkansas and No. 9 Texas, for the women's side, No. 11 Arkansas is the lone nationally-ranked program. 

Nicholls cross country head coach Coach Stefanie Slekis shared her thoughts about the upcoming regional championship. 

"We're excited, Agri Park is a beautiful course and I'm looking forward to seeing our teams race in a large field again. I think we learned a lot since Arturo Barrios and everyone's fitness has improved, we just need to capitalize on it together on the same day." 

Coach Slekis is confident in men's preparation for their first 10k of the season. 

"We've been preparing since the second week of team practice so they know they can handle this. After a muddy and wet conference championship, they're hoping for good course conditions to let all the practice they have done translate into their finishing times." 

Slekis says the squad has concrete and high goals for their last meet of the season. 

"To race personal bests against great competition is their goal. Placing well against some teams we have already faced at Arturo Barrios is in our minds too, but the emphasis is running in our groups well and moving through the field." 

Slekis shares what she has repeatedly said to her team. 

"As a coach, I emphasize how prepared we are from the specific workouts we have done all season and I also remind them that they have run in large fields before, this is no different." 

The top two teams and the first four finishers in the race not associated with those two teams will advance to the NCAA Championships, held in Charlottesville, Virginia on Saturday, Nov. 18.