The men and women cross country teams compete in the Sun Belt Championships on Saturday in Bowling Green, Ky.

“This is what we been preparing for,” junior Daniel Mutai said.

The men’s team entered the top 15 of the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association Division 1 Regional Rankings on Monday, after competing in the Annual Chile Pepper Cross Country Festival.

The Warhawks were tabbed as the 15th-best team in the South Central Region by the USTFCCCA, the highest such ranking in the poll in program history.

“We are capable of winning on both sides,” coach J.D. Malone said.

Last week, both teams traveled to Fayetteville, Ark. where they competed in the 23rd Annul Chile Pepper Cross Country Festival.

The men came home with an 18th place finish, while the women brought home 29th place.

Junior Madeleine Robertson led the women’s team, and Mutai crossed the finish line first for the men’s team.

Robertson finished with a time of 23:36.10 for 160th place.

Mutai finished in the top 50 with a time of 30:36.80 to finish 33rd.

Mutai has two first place titles under his belt from the NSU Invitational and the ULM Warhawk Invitational.

NCAA South Central Regionals takes place on Nov. 12 in Waco, Texas.