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STORRS, Conn. – The UConn men's cross country team will head down to at WakeMed Soccer Park Field in Cary, N.C. for the BIG EAST Championship on Friday morning.

"They are prepared," commented Director of Cross Country and Track & Field Greg Roy.  "We have just been tapering down over the last 10 days, focused on rest and nutrition.  We want those legs to be there in this meet.  Be sharp and be ready to roll."

The Huskies were able to get two races in before this weekend's title race and enter the weekend ranked No. 2 in the Northeast Region in the latest USTFCCCA regional rankings.  UConn last competed at the Spider-Patriot Classic where they finished second and had four runners in the top-15.

"I like that we had the two meets and we learned a lot about our team there and competed well," stated Roy. 

Despite the experience of two races under their belts and a field that may have teams running for the first time, Roy says what matters most, is what the team will bring to the race on Friday morning.  "It's always about what you do on that day, less about what the other teams can do.  We will run aware the first few miles, stay in position.  If it comes down to the last mile, I like our chances.  We have closed really well in the last mile in those two races."

The field for Friday's title race will feature the Huskies and athletes from Butler, Georgetown, Villanova, Marquette, Providence, Xavier, Creighton, and Seton Hall.

The UConn top-three are as solid as it gets at the top of the lineup.  Leading the charge is captain, senior Eric Van Der Els (Norwalk, Conn.).  Last season, he was an All-AAC and All-Northeast Region runner and in the two races this season, he has been the Huskies top finisher in both.  "Eric is having a nice year so far and he is very focused," said Roy.  "He has done a really nice job and keeps getting better.  I expect him to go out with a bang and be a threat to win."

The duo of senior James Maniscalco (Fairfield, Conn.) and junior Will Brisman (Fairfield, Conn.) were also All-Northeast Region last season and both have been in the top-three finishers for UConn this season.

"Maniscalco can finish with anyone and if he is close down the stretch, he is going to get it done," said the head coach.  "If he keeps himself in it, he is really dangerous at the end.  Will, maybe more than anyone, is really, really focused.  If he runs this race right, can be looking at a top-10 finish.  They have been there all year long, and I expect that to be the case this weekend."

In the last BIG EAST Cross Country Championship, the Villanova men and the Butler women were victorious at the Wayne Dannehl National Course in Kenosha, Wis.  Villanova placed four runners among the top eight finishers.  The Butler women had all five scoring among the top 17.

This year may be unpredictable since many teams have not been able to compete in formal competition because of poor weather and health concerns.

Historically, cross country is one of the BIG EAST's most accomplished sports.  Nationally, BIG EAST women's teams have won four of the last 11 NCAA national championships.  Providence won the NCAA women's title in 2013.  Villanova has won nine NCAA women's titles, the last coming in 2010.