After running strong in Lewiston two weeks ago, the WSU cross country team is ready for its biggest test of season Saturday. The team will head to Louisville, Colo. to compete in the Pac-12 Championships.

Four men’s teams from the Pac-12 are ranked in the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) Men’s National Rankings, and six Pac-12 teams for the USTFCCCA Women’s National Rankings, according to a WSU press release.

“If you aren’t motivated for this then I don’t know what you could be motivated for,” WSU cross country Coach Tim Riley said in an interview with wsucougars.com. “It’s the Pac-12 Championships.”

In 2012, the WSU men finished in eighth place overall and the women finished in 12th place, according to a WSU press release.

“We’re more rested than we were last weekend, and I think we’re prepared,” Riley said. “We’ve definitely put in the work for it.”

Riley said a top six finish for the men would be great for the team.

Junior Todd Wakefield, who has dealt with injuries this season, is looking better, and senior Andrew Gonzales is running very strong right now, Riley said.

On the women’s side, Riley said he expects the same scenario as the men. Oregon State, Utah, USC, and Arizona State are the schools that Riley said he believes the WSU women will be competitive with throughout the race.

“It’ll be a dogfight,” Riley said. “This is the start of our championship season, so anytime you get into these championship races you just have to lay it on the line.”