DENTON- The Mean Green cross-country team takes on top competitors this weekend at the Chile Pepper Cross Country Festival in Fayetteville, Arkansas.

"On the men's side, the team and I are excited for us to really get to test ourselves against some high caliber competition, much like the women were able to do this past weekend against SMU and Rice," said North Texas cross country Coach Stefanie Slekis. "The men will be focused on racing well against Arkansas, Lamar and SFA, who are ranked first, third and fifth in our region, as well seeing how UTEP is looking up front as they are a top conference opponent."

At last week's Ken Garland Invitational, both the men's and women's teams showed that they are top competitors. The men placed first and the women came in third.

The men's cross-country team has performed well this season, with junior runner Troy Taylor already winning two races. Senior Alejandro Valencia, junior Silvester Harrison III, sophomore James Coleman, and junior Bryce McAndrew all placed in the top six at the Ken Garland.

The women also ran well, with senior Charlotte Wilson taking third place and junior Magdalena Escobar and sophomore Shauna Pali finishing close behind her in 14^th and 15^th place.

"On the women's side, Charlotte will get to test herself against some of the best women in the country racing Arkansas, and the women's team will be focused on trying to match up against Lamar who is ranked sixth in our region," said Slekis.

"This is the first meet that we'll be racing with fresh legs so it will be a great opportunity for the 12 men and 11 women traveling to really see how well they can compete against nine regionally-ranked opponents for the men and five for the women."

Men's Regionally-Ranked teams attending:

Arkansas-South Central #1

Lamar- South Central #3

SFA-South Central #5

North Texas-South Central #7

McNeese State-South Central #8

Baylor-South Central #10

Texas State-South Central # 14

UTEP-Mountain #9

Wichita State- Midwest # 11

Women's Regionally-Ranked teams attending:

Arkansas-South Central #1

Lamar- South Central #6

North Texas-South Central #8

SFA-South Central #12

Wichita State-Midwest #13

Kansas State- Midwest  #14