The WSU cross country team opens a new chapter Saturday as they head to Spokane for the annual Clash of the Inland Northwest meet. The meet, hosted by Gonzaga and Eastern Washington University, also features the University of Idaho and Whitworth University.

Under the direction of new coach Wayne Phipps, the Cougars look to revive their national prominence.

Phipps comes to Pullman following 19 seasons with WSU rivals, Idaho. Phipps was named the Western Athletic Conference Coach of the Year 14 times and led the Vandals to 16 conference championships.

In Phipps’ preparation for the upcoming season, he expressed his excitement about getting to work with the WSU athletes. In his season preview press conference, Phipps said that the goal for the men’s team is another NCAA championship appearance, adding that anything short of that would be a disappointment.

Expect senior Lee George and redshirt senior Drew Jordan to lead the men’s team Saturday. At the meet last year, George was the top finisher for the men’s team, placing fifth (18:28.0). The men were able to sweep places seven through 10, but lost the dual-scoring meet to Gonzaga 26-29.

This year, with the potential of the Cougars’ top-five men running, a complete sweep over Eastern Washington, Idaho and Gonzaga is a likely possibility.

On the women’s side, redshirt senior Ruby Roberts and senior Abby Regan as well as junior CharLee Linton will lead the Cougars. In his press conference, coach Phipps slated the trio as a “dedicated and motivated” group looking to “improve upon last (season’s) performance”.

Last season the women’s dual meet team scoring at the Clash resulted in the Cougars losing to both Gonzaga and Idaho. This year, however, with the possibility of Ruby Roberts setting the pace for the Cougs, watch for the women’s team to compete for the sweep alongside the men.

The men will race a shortened 6,000-meter race starting at 10 a.m. and the women’s team will run a shortened 4,000-meter race that follows at 10:30 a.m. Following the race, both teams will have nearly a month long break before returning to action Sept. 20 in Seattle for the Sundodger Invitational.

Reporting by Nate Asbury