The Fighting Scots’ women boast a pair of All-MWC performers, sophomore Mary Kate Beyer and junior Katie Staab. Beyer, fifth a year ago, has the conference’s third-best time on a 6K course. She is less than a minute behind conference leader Jenny Scherer of St. Norbert. Staab, a two-time all-conference runner, finished ninth last season and has posted the fifth-fastest time in the league this season. With a top 20 finish, Staab could become Monmouth’s first three-time all-conference woman since Carrie Knauer turned the trick from 1995-97.

Whitney Didier , Amy Aghababian and newcomer Taryn Tang joined Beyer and Staab in posting season bests at the Bob Tucker Invitational hosted by Loras College two weekends ago. The trio’s performances have them in all-conference contention with ranks of 19th, 21st and 25th, respectively. Bri Flynn, Jayme Ayers, Ashley Szabo, Brooke Potendyk and Sara Ditzler round out one of the Scots’ strongest women’s teams since Haynes took over the program in 2000.

"The women’s race should be interesting," said Haynes, who picked Carroll, St. Norbert and Grinnell as the top contenders for the women’s team title. "It’s probably as wide open as it’s ever been. Carroll may have the strongest group of five. St. Norbert clearly has the strongest two and Grinnell has the tradition. For us, it’s a matter of how our three through seven runners perform. Our four through seven people have more opportunity to affect the race more than they have in the past."

On the men’s side, two-time all-conference junior Clay Staley has rounded into shape, posting the league’s 11th best 8K time at the Tucker Invite. He is just under 1:30 back of league leader Henry Reich of Grinnell. The Pioneers have the league’s top four times.

Fellow two-time All-MWC runner Brad Begyn ranks just behind his teammate in the league standings. Staley and Begyn are vying to become the Fighting Scots’ 12th and 13th athletes with at least three all-conference performances. Dan Schisler (1990-93) and Zach Barr (2002-06) lead the Scots with the maximum four all-league honors.

Sophomore Scott Sheller is in solid contention for all-conference honors, as he is ranked 17th in the league standings. Jon Welty, Craig Maher and Alan Rosiquez had good performances at Loras and are expected to be in contention for all-league recognition.

"We should be ready for Saturday," said Haynes. "We’ve tried not to overwhelm them with too much information. I don’t like to give them too much of a race plan. If one piece of that puzzle falls apart, the runners could lose confidence. I think it’s good that the athletes develop a race plan they’re comfortable with."

Now all that remains is the Scots getting comfortable with a relatively flat, but twisting course. The men’s race begins at 11 a.m. with the women’s race set for a noon start.