The Panthers will be contenders on both the men’s and women’s sides of the Ohio Valley Conference cross country championships, with OVC powerhouse Eastern Kentucky, Southeast Missouri, Belmont, and Murray State also competing.

Eastern Kentucky ranks No. 13 in the nation on the men’s side.

However, Eastern Kentucky has multiple injuries on the women’s side.

The Colonels would be considered the favorites if they were healthy, but according to coach Erin Howarth they are beatable.

“Unless their two and three runners toe the line, they are very beatable,” Howarth said.

Eastern’s women have momentum heading in to the OVC Championships after finishing ninth among a tough field at the Bradley Classic.

Senior Olivia Klaus, an All-OVC first team runner last season, looks to be one of the top runners at the 2012 championships after setting Eastern’s 6K record at the Bradley Classic with a 10th place finish and a time of 21:35.

Senior Britney Whitehead, an All-OVC second teamer, will be right behind her after setting the second best 6K time in program history, recording a time of 21:42 at the Bradley Classic.

Fellow senior Erika Ramos will be one of the top Panther runners after earning All-OVC first team last year.

She placed 63rd at the Bradley Classic with a time of 22:27.

Senor Stephanie Peisker will be yet another senior runner leading the Panthers. She placed 67th at the Bradley Classic with a time of 22:33.

Unfortunately for the Panthers, freshman Amy Yeoman is questionable for the meet after straining her hamstring.

The men’s team faces a challenge in Eastern Kentucky, who blew away the competition at the 2011 OVC Championships. Eastern Kentucky boasts reigning OVC Runner of the Year in Soufiane Bouchikhi.

“It’s really going to be a battle between us and SEMO for second,” junior Danny Delaney said. “As for EKU, we would like to break up their top five as much as possible.”

Eastern’s men have a very talented squad, as well, as they are now regionally ranked.

Sophomore Bryce Basting leads the men’s side after finishing on the All-OVC second team last season. Basting finished third at the Bradley Classic with a time of 24:23.

Junior Pablo Ramirez has performed well in his first season at Eastern after transferring from junior college. Ramirez finished 21st at the Bradley Classic with a time of 25:00.

“I expect every runner to race with heart,” Howarth said. “If we toe the line confident and expect the best from ourselves, we will be successful.”

The OVC Championships are set to begin at 9:45 a.m. Saturday in Jacksonville, Ala., hosted by Jacksonville State.

Holden Fuehne can be reached at 581-2812 or hjfuehne@eiu.edu.