NORTHFIELD, Minn. – The Grinnell College cross country teams are eying successful outings Saturday when they compete in the NCAA Division III Central Region Championships on the campus of St. Olaf College.

Grinnell's men are coming off a dominating performance at the Midwest Conference Championships where they scored 33 points to beat their nearest competitor by 60 points.

Grinnell put six runners in the top 12 at the meet, led by individual champion Frank Canady '14. He became the fourth Pioneer in the last five seasons to win a league title.

Next in line for Grinnell were Erik Figge '13 (fourth place), Nate Kolacia '16 (eighth), Sam Krauth '14 (ninth), Ben Tyler '14 (11th) and Adam Dalton '16 (12th). Also earning all-conference honors was Kyle Moorehead '15, who was 15th.

Grinnell enters the meet ranked eighth in the region. “You can't always put too much stock in rankings,” said Grinnell men's coach Will Freeman. “Two years ago we were ranked fifth in the region and went on to win it. I know where we stand and I like how things look for us. We're running better and better.”

Freeman said the team's performance at the MWC meet has given him plenty of encouragement. “That was our best race of the season,” he said. “That's how you measure a team, how well they run in big-meet situations. We performed well there and the workouts since have been great. The guys are ready.”

Grinnell's women are ranked ninth in the Central Region. The Pioneers also enjoyed success at the MWC meet as Sarah Burnell '14 won the individual title. Others earning all-conference honors were Stephanie Rouse '14 (fourth) and Diana Seer '15 (16th).

Rouse qualified for the national meet last year.

“Last year we finished 10th at the regional meet, so our goal is to improve significantly on that and also improve our standing in the current rankings,” said Grinnell women's coach Evelyn Freeman. “We have a great shot to qualify a few individuals for nationals. Everybody is looking and feeling great and they're excited to challenge themselves to running their best races of the season.”

Saturday's action will begin with the men's 8-kilometer race at 11 a.m., followed by the women's 6-kilometer event at noon.

The top two teams automatically qualify for the national meet, as well as the top seven individuals not on a qualifying team. There may also be teams advance to nationals on an at-large basis.

The top 35 runners earn all-region honors.