WINFIELD, Kan. — Southwestern looks to build upon a quality start to the season as the Moundbuilders head to Chanute to compete in the Neosho County Community College Panther Invitational. The women's race is slated for a 5 p.m. start, and the men's race is scheduled to start at 5:45 p.m. at Sante Fe Park.

The builders men's cross country squad will be running the 8,000-meter distance competitively for the first time this season, the same race distance as the KCAC and NAIA championship invitationals. Sophomore Derek Ponce-Gonzalez will look to continue his streak of personal best race times and beat his PR of 29:13.5 on an 8,000-meter course. 

Senior Lauryn Peterson will lead the way for the Moundbuilders women's cross country program. Competing at the 5,000-meter distance for the second time this season, Peterson aims to stride closer to her personal best 5,000-meter time of 25:42.1 on a cross-country course. 

Both Moundbuilders squads will look to take advantage of the Santa Fe Park Course, which is known for its fast times when the weather is dry for multiple days leading up to the invitational.