The GW men’s and women’s cross-country teams begin their seasons Saturday with a morning meet at the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md. Both teams have been steadily preparing for the season opener.

During the pre-season we’ve done a lot of distance, hill work-outs and speed work that will help us with all of out meets this season, junior Eileen Kickish said.

Kickish said that the teams’ pre-season consisted of daily running with some weight training. The teams run every day, and hold double sessions three days a week.

Coach Jim Hopkins said he sees this meet as a good opportunity to judge the progress of the teams, but he said it was not critical in the span of a long season of racing that extends through November 18.

I see this meet at Navy more in terms of a time-trial, rather than an extremely important competition, Hopkins said. So much of our sport is about being able to run your fastest and peaking at the right time.

Hopkins said he hopes his runners will peak for the A-10 championship race on Oct. 28. But only time will tell.