FAYETTEVILLE -- Arkansas' men's and women's cross country teams won't necessarily be running to win at the NCAA South Central Regional today at the Razorbacks' Agri Park course.
Two weeks after both Arkansas teams won SEC titles, the main goal at the regional meet is to advance to the NCAA Championships held Nov. 22 in Terre Haute, Ind.
NCAA South Central Regional cross country meet
WHEN Today. Women’s 6,000-meter race at noon. Men’s 10,000-meter race at 1 p.m.
WHERE UA Agri Park course, Fayetteville
WHO 19 teams in both races, including Arkansas, Arkansas State, UALR and Central Arkansas
WHAT’S AT STAKE The top two teams and top four individuals not on those teams receive automatic spots at the NCAA Championships Nov. 22 in Terre Haute, Ind.
The top two teams at the regional meet and top four individuals not on those teams receive automatic spots to nationals.
Today's women's 6,000-meter race starts at noon with the men's 10,000-meter race at 1 p.m.
"At the regional meet, second place is as good as first," said Chris Bucknam, coach of Arkansas' No. 24-ranked men's team. "It's preliminary meet, so the goal is to be in the top two and advance."
Bucknam said the Razorbacks -- led by senior Stanley Kebenei, junior Gabe Gonzalez and freshman Alex George -- will run as if it's a conference or national meet if that's what it takes to advance.
"We're not taking it lightly," Bucknam said. "Nothing is easy. Even if it seems like a done deal, it's not."
So what's the key to running well enough to guarantee advancing, but not overdo it with the NCAA meet in eight days?
"That's the $64,000 question," Bucknam said. "Hopefully, by now our kids know themselves pretty well.
"They have to be self aware of what's going on in the race and where they're at individually."
Arkansas women's Coach Lance Harter said the strategy for his No. 4-ranked team is for junior Dominique Scott -- a two-time SEC cross country champion -- to go for the title while senior Grace Heymsfield leads a pack of Razorbacks running a more conservative race.
Harter said while it's better for some runners to try to run a race that allows them to be in top form for nationals, Scott is at her best when she always goes all out.
"Dominique thrives off of a challenge," Harter said. "She gets sharper the more quality racing that she does. It gets her more and more ready for bigger challenges."
Harter said Heymsfield, a former Elkins standout, talked to him about leading the other Razorbacks around the course.
"Grace is capable of being second in the race, but she came to me and said, 'Let me gather everybody up and we'll make a good solid team pack,' " Harter said. "She's pretty astute. She's our coach on the field."
Arkansas' entrants today also include seniors Shannon Klenke and Jessica Kamilos and junior Diane Robison.
"This is a mature team, so they're real focused," Harter said. "We're blessed with great senior leadership. This is one of those teams that really takes care of itself."
There are 19 teams in both men's and women's races, including Arkansas State, UALR and Central Arkansas.
The weather forecast at race time is clear with temperatures in the high 30s.
"It's going to be cold, but you don't want to put on a lot of extra gear," Bucknam said. "You've got to be careful about that, because you can overheat on the course if you're over dressed.
"If I had my druthers, you'd wear a stocking cap and gloves with your singlet and your shorts, and that's it."
Sports on 11/14/2014