NEWBERG, Ore. -- It's a fresh new approach to NCAA Regionals for the George Fox cross country team.

For the past three seasons, the Bruins have qualified for the NCAA National Championships thanks to strong runs at the national preview. But now, Fox enters the regionals in a different spot. The way head coach Mike Wilson sees it, the Bruins will need strong runs from both teams to qualify for the championships. 

"On the men's side, we're coming in pretty solidly on the outside of the bubble," Wilson said, "[But] I do think we're one of the best 30 teams in the country. The women are probably more of a true bubble team. They're in consideration for sure."

The Bruins' finishes at the Paul Short Run (the women placing 16th and the men 23rd_ may hamper their chances of getting an at-large bid without a top finish in California. But that's the beauty of this year's young team; Fox has been doing nothing but improve since their trip to Pennsylvania, and this team enters regionals ready to show that.

With Fox younger than in years past, the Bruins haven't been ranked in the national polls all season — a far cry from their 10th national ranking on the men's side last season and top 20 marks for the women. But now, a bit of Fox's underdog nature is coming back.

"This year, it's like we're a little bit back to an underdog team," Wilson said, "We have to show up and really do something because we're not on the national radar right now. It's kind of fun to come into the Cinderella space as well."

On the women's side, Emily Foote could contend for the regional championship. The graduate transfer from Oregon State won her first-ever collegiate meet in the NWC Championships and will lead the Bruins once again at the starting line.

Foote will be joined by the same athletes who raced at conference — Hope Bridge, Sara Marino, Natalie Oathout, Reese Borchert, Abbie Goodwin, and Chloe Cook. Should one of the runners be a late scratch, Lola Woodburn, Marcella Leita, and Marilyn Green will serve as alternates. Notably absent is Breanna Schmitt — the 2024 All-American missed the NWC Championship due to injury and will redshirt for next season.

On the men's side, Caden Hildenbrand, Andrew Dewar, Kellen Ruiz, Nate Hamilton, Jefferson Smith, Westin Madden, and Jacob Shin will be the seven on the line for Fox. Alternates will be Eli Krueger, Ryan Lippert, and Makai Peak. Of the 20 Bruins making the trip, only Peak did not compete in the NWC Championships.

Those conference championships were in Tacoma, Wash., in the pouring rain. Though the regionals will be run in California, that experience in running in the rain may come in handy — the weather in Claremont, Calif., calls for a 70% chance of rain on Saturday during race time. No matter if there is precipitation or not, Wilson has had his team ready.

We've been doing "Rocky"-style training," Wilson said, "I've had them run in extra coats to get ready for hot weather. We're ready for whatever gets thrown at us, whether it's an 80-degree day or a 60-degree day. Right now, it looks like we might get a little more Oregon-esque weather down there, which would be pretty great for us."

It may be a different feeling regionally with a team full of new runners, but if there's one thing that George Fox cross country has shown, it's never to count them out.

The men's 8k will be the first run of the day, starting at 9:00 am, while the women's 6k will begin at 10:00 am. Links to live stats and meet information are available on the GFU website.