In the first time in its history, the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs will host the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference cross country championships. Arguably the deepest division 2 conference in the nation featuring several top-ranked teams in the nation including perennial national championship contenders Adams and Western State College.

Before the collegiate action begins however, the USATF State Cross Country Championships will feature some of the top runners in Colorado as well as the nation. Some to watch include but will definitely not be limited to:

Laura Thweatt (Boulder): The former CU Buff and current Boulder Track Club runner most recently took sixth at the U.S. 10 Mile Championships two weeks ago, placed 7th at last May's U.S. 1 Mile Championships, and represented the U.S. at the NACAC Cross Country Championships last March.

Mattie Suver (Boulder): Competing for BRC/Adidas, Suver is fresh off of a 7th place berth at the Women's U.S. 10k Championships.

Brianne Nelson (Golden): The BRC/Adidas runner has been lighting it up on the Colorado race scene this year and most recently took 9th at the U.S. Women's 10k Championships.

Cassie Slade (Highlands Ranch): A former division 1 All-American now of the BRC/Adidas race team, Slade placed 8th at the 2012 U.S. Championship in the 10,000 meters and represented the U.S. at the 2011 Pan Am Games.

Ellie Keyser (Fort Collins): A former Colorado State University standout also of the Boulder Track Club, Keyser recently was runner-up at the Pikes Peak Ascent.

Allie McLaughlin (Colorado Springs): Currently running for the University of Colorado and a 5th place performer her freshman year at the NCAA Cross Country Championships in 2010, the Springs' native will be looking to bust a little rust for her 2012 season.

Lydia Dissly (Boulder): A member of the Running Republic of Boulder, Dissly is one of the top Master's runners in the country, taking first in the Master's division of the U.S. Cross Country Championships last February.

Wendy Thomas (Windsor): A member of BRC/Adidas, Thomas competed in the 10000 at this years Olympic Trials as well as last January's Olympic Marathon Trials, where she took 13th.

Matt Tebo (Boulder): Another CU Alumni and All-American competing for the Boulder Track Club, Tebo took 11th at last May's U.S. 1 Mile Championships.

Scott Dahlberg (Fort Collins): A multiple-time All-American at Western State and a contender the 2012 U.S. Indoor National Championships in the 3000 competing for BRC/Adidas. Dahlberg is also the assistant men's and women's cross country coach at Colorado State University.

Josh Eberly (Arvada): A multiple-time All-American at Western State University, an Olympic Trials Marathon qualifier and a top-contender at most Colorado races,, Eberly took first at this year's Bolder Boulder.

Curtis Begley (Boulder): A member of the Boulder Track Club, Begley was runner-up at this year's Bolder Boulder.

Andy Wacker (Boulder): Competing for BRC/Adidas, Wacker was a former All-American at CU.

Matt Levassiur (Colorado Springs): A former multiple-time All-American at Adams State and competing for BRC/Adidas, Levassiur is an Olympic Marathon Trials qualifier and one of the top contenders at numerous national and nation-wide road races.

Art Siemers (Fort Collins): Current head cross country coach for CSU and competing for BRC/Adidas, Siemers will likely vie for the top Master's finish.

Prize money will be given to the top 3 finishers in both the men's and women's races and is allocated as the following:

1st: $300

2nd: $200

3rd: $100

Top Master's (men and women):

$100

Live race footage and interviews will be provided by Flotrack. The race is chipped-timed and timing will be provided by Heartland Timing.

High schoolers, don't miss out on any of the action! Nike will feature giveaways and custom-screened shirts for purchase to high school runners in attendance as spectators or competitors. Additionally, RMAC T-Shirts will be available for sale at $15 to benefit the Joplin Missouri Disaster Relief Fund.

Open races begin at 8:30 a.m.at Monument Valley Park with the men's race preceding the women's at 9:15. The college action will begin at 10:00 with the men's race, followed by the women at 10:45. Packet pick-up and race-day registration for the open race starts at 7:15 with a $10 entry fee for those wishing to compete. For more race information, check out http://www.gomountainlions.com/tournaments/20/.

Cross country fans, don't miss out!