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Stony Brook, N.Y. - The Stony Brook men's and women's cross country teams will host the America East Cross Country Championships Saturday, Oct. 31, on the Stony Brook campus.

The women's race will begin the day's action at 10 a.m., followed by the men's race at 11 a.m. The Seawolves will aim to unseat the 2014 champions, the women's team from New Hampshire and men's squad from Binghamton.

"The main part of the season has arrived ... It is what both teams have been preparing for since July 1," said Stony Brook head coach Andy Ronan. "The conference championships on Saturday start a big three weeks for both teams.

"Naturally our focus is on the race Saturday. We are excited to have the opportunity to race for a conference title on our home course. I feel the women are going into the meet better prepared mentally and physically than last year. With Christina Melian up front battling for the individual title - and it will be a battle against the young lady from New Hampshire, Rosa Donegan - I feel that the supporting group of Liz Caldwell, Olivia Richie, Tara Peck and Christine Eisenberg are ready to push for the win.

"It is always difficult to dethrone the defending champions and they are good again this year. But for me it has been exciting to see this group mature into a competitive team. Don't get me wrong - it is going to be an uphill battle, and if we don't run well, then Albany and UMBC could slip by us.

"The men are still looking for that first race where everything clicked. We are hoping that happens Saturday. UMass Lowell, Binghamton and UMBC are very strong squads, but if Mitch Kun, Mike Watts and Joe Clark can run to potential and break into the top 10, then I feel we will be very involved in the team race.

"Each year when we compete at the conference championships, I tell both teams to believe in all the work that they have done in preparation for the meet and then compete every step of the race. If we do that on Saturday, I feel we will compete well and have no regrets with our performances."

The day's events will be streamed on AmericaEast.tv with Jon Versteeg on the call. The awards ceremony will follow at noon.