The Chippewas will face their most difficult competition of the season so far at Friday's Spartan Invitational, with a showdown against men's defending MAC Champion Eastern Michigan.

Sophomore Kyle Stacks and junior Krista Parks led the Chippewas at the Badger Opener at Wisconsin.

The Chippewas will debut a number of their top runners on both the men's and women's teams when they travel to Madison, Wis., home of the defending men's national champions, for the Badger Opener.

The men's team has been selected to finish second and the women's third in the annual Mid-American Conference Preseason Coaches Poll.

The Drenth Memorial is Friday, Aug. 31 at the Pleasant Hills Golf Course. The first race is 10 a.m.

A mix of strong seniors, talented returners and promising newcomers have the Chippewas aiming for a MAC Championship in 2012 after two consecutive MAC runners-up finishes and three consecutive top-10 regional finishes.

Included are season previews for both the men's and women's teams, and a preview of the 27th Annual Jeff Drenth Memorial.

Trips to reigning men's NCAA Champion Wisconsin and Big Ten foes Michigan State and Minnesota on the 2012 schedule, along with annual Jeff Drenth Memorial home meet.

The CMU track and field/cross country program has signed 19 student-athletes to join the team beginning in the 2012-13 school year. Among the recruits are numerous state champions, school record holders and a state record holder.

The Chippewas boasted a combined 3.56 GPA, tied for the top mark in the Mid-American Conference and tied for 29th nationally.