The Triton men will be up against Chico State, who are currently ranked No. 1 in the West Region, along with regionally ranked Humboldt State, San Francisco State and Cal Poly Pomona.

UCSD head coach Nate Garcia expects junior Kellen Levy, sophomore Tanner Collins and sophomore Scott Acton to perform well this weekend.

“All three have proven that they have the skills to lead the squad,” Garcia said.

On the women’s team, junior Chia Chang has run strong throughout the season. Garcia says to also look out for freshmen Carolina Guzman and Marie Diaz. The women’s team will be up against regionally ranked CSU Chico, Humboldt State, San Francisco State, Cal Poly Pomona, CSU Los Angeles and CSU Stanislaus.

The Tritons will look to match up with high-ranked CSU Chico.

“We know we’ve got our work cut out for us, but we intend to make them really work for the conference battle,” Garcia said. “If they’re going to win, we’re really going to make them work hard for it.”

The men’s team will begin the 8K race on RIMAC Field at 9 a.m., and the women’s team will start the 6K race at 10 a.m. They will finish inside the Triton Track and Field Stadium. The course, which runs through the canyon, offers runners a challenge with steep inclines through the woods followed by a final dash to the finish line.

Last year the men’s team finished third, and the women’s team finished fourth in the CCAA Championships.

“Both teams have been working all year and are dedicated to improve their standings and we’re going to see what we can do at the CCAA Championships,” Garcia said.