VANCOUVER – The UBC Thunderbirds cross-country team's regular league meet season has come to a close and the post-season is looming just on the horizon with their conference championship this weekend in San Diego. 

Strong showings at the Puma Cross Country Classic in Portland, Ore., helped to cement both the men's and women's squads among the top in the NAIA as the men held their No. 5 position and the women slipped one spot to 11th.

The most recent trip across the border pitted the UBC men against top class competition in NAIA No. 2 Southern Oregon as well as cross-town rivals Simon Fraser. The men bested Simon Fraser for the second time in as many meetings this season led by rookie Luc Bruchet. Heavy rains and a prior series of high school races made for a very rough and muddy 6.4-kilometer course. The independent No. 1-ranked men battled rain and a hard charging start on the shortened course to finish third in the team battle. 

Independent No. 3-ranked Thunderbird women were part of a provincial sweep for British Columbia as Victoria, Simon Fraser and UBC took the top three team positions. Sabrina Reeve took advantage of a break in the storm to lead the T-Bird women with an impressive fifth-place performance.

Hosted just outside of sunny San Diego by California State San Marcos, the Independent Championships are next on the NAIA schedule for the harriers.  Contested November 11, this meet serves as a qualifier for the NAIA Championships which are to be held November 21 at the Fort Vancouver National Historic Site in Vancouver, Wash., with UBC looking to take advantage of the opportunity to contest a championship meet so close to home. 

Even with his men and women both garnering top-15 NAIA rankings head coach Marek Jedrzejek is taking nothing for granted.

"This is a very competitive conference meet. We anticipate several teams getting NAIA Championships bids. Our men are leading a talented field and our women have the strongest conference field in the NAIA," said the long-serving head coach. 

The UBC men seek to hold off challenges from NAIA eighth ranked and host CSUSM and No. 17-ranked Simon Fraser. 

UBC's women reverse roles with the men and become the hunters as they look to not only defend their NAIA number 11 ranking but also chase No. 2 CSUSM and No. 4 Simon Fraser. 

"NAIA qualification hinges on our league meet performance as well as this meet. We are highly ranked on both sides but must perform in California to make qualification," added Jedrzejek.