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THIBODAUX - The Nicholls State University men's and women's cross country teams will be part of the largest competition fields in Crimson Classic history when the Colonels head to one of the most prestigious cross country meets in the southeastern United States on Saturday.

The Colonels' two teams have contributed to a combined field of 357 college runners.  Adding in the 663 high school runners and 157 middle school entrants, the Crimson Classic hosted by the University of Alabama will host its largest ever field on Saturday.

Saturday's meet will be the Colonels' first meet of the season using the standard cross country meet format.  Nicholls opened the season on Sept. 3 at the McNeese Relays where combined two person teams each ran half of a 6K course. 

Nicholls was led by its women's team in the season opening meet as the Colonels took two of the top three spots.  Freshman Emily Charlesworth and senior Jessica McLeod claimed second with seniors Lauren Jones and Kadi Whisnant taking third.

On the men's side, the Colonels got their strongest performances from their two newcomers as freshman Blaine Gisclair and sophomore Casey Kaiser combined for a top-ten finish, placing seventh.

The Nicholls women, currently ranked No. 13 in the South Central Region by the U.S. Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association, head into Tuscaloosa looking to defend and improve their standing.  The Colonel women will be lining up against regional rivals Texas A&M (No. 6 South Central) and Tulane (No. 14 South Central) as well as USTFCCCA South Region powers Alabama (No. 5 South), Auburn (No. 7 South), and Samford (No. 15 South).  A strong performance against interregional competition could help Nicholls climb the USTFCCA rankings heading into next week.

The action at Harry Pritchett Running Course begins at 8:45 a.m. with the men's college 8K.  The women will follow with a 5K at 9:15 a.m.