The men’s cross country team loaded up Nov. 14, and headed out to catch a plane in Springfield. The Lions have their hearts set on the NCAA National Cross Country Championship in Pensacola, Fla., tomorrow.

“We’ve worked really hard for this one meet, so now it’s our time to see what we can do,” said Ryan Arthur, junior health promotion and wellness major.

Arthur’s teammates share his enthusiasm for the final meet.

“I’m pumped for this,” said Isaac Garcia, freshman health promotion and wellness major.

The Lions on the plane won’t be the only one’s at the championship. Dustin Miller, Nick Heberle, Derek Wright and Anthony Reed will be there to support their teammates. Dustin Miller, senior middle school math and science major, said they will arrive via car.

“I’m excited for them to go in and get the job done,” said Miller. “I know we’re capable of doing well this year.”

Isaac Garcia, freshman health promotion and wellness major, said he’s impressed with the dedication his teammates are expressing.

“I think it’s awesome, I wish I were driving because I hate flying,” Garcia said. “It’s pretty cool that they would go all the way down there just to support us.”

In preparation for this significant meet, the runners have been continuously training, not slacking off and focusing on the upcoming 10,000-meter race.

“In practice we’ve been cutting back [on distance] so we can peak at nationals,” Garcia said. “Because if you keep working hard up until the day of the race you’re not going to have a good day.”

Arthur agrees the team has been careful in keeping healthy and strong for nationals, and he said they’re ready to compete with the best.

“We’re just at that part of our training where we’re backing down, fine tuning and making sure everything’s clicking,” Arthur said. “I know what we’ve done in training, so I know we’re capable of doing good things.”

Garcia said head coach Tom Rutledge has initiated the right support for the team.

“[Rutledge] has been ready since we got here,” Garcia said. “He tells us all the time we’re going to do great.”

Tuesday at precisely 7 a.m., Rutledge counted all of his runners packed into two vehicles, and opened his car door.

“We’re as ready as we’re going to be,” he said.