Photo: Steve Vincent (Photo by UD Photo Services)

NEWARK, Del. - - The University of Delaware men’s and women’s cross country teams open their 2010 campaign with the Harry Groves Spike Shoe Invitational at Penn State, on Saturday.

The women will head into the event ranked 11th in the Mid-Atlantic while the men were voted 13th, according to the preseason division one regional rankings by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA).

The women finished eighth in the region a season ago and return 13 runners from last year’s roster. The Blue Hens will be led by junior Jessie Ermak who finished 17th at the Colonial Athletic Association Championships, 47th in the NCAA Regional Championships ad 33rd at the ECAC Championships last season.

Villanova retains the top spot from last season’s final poll while Princeton will start in second place for the women. Georgetown jumps up two spots from the end of last year to number three. West Virginia and Penn State round out the top five.

The men completed the 2009 season ranked 13th in the Mid-Atlantic and return eight members from last season’s squad. Delaware will be led by Steve Vincent who posted a 14th place finish in the CAA Championships and finished 53rd at the NCAA Regional Championships.

Georgetown and Villanova return to the top of the Mid-Atlantic, after finished the 2009 season in the first and second spots, respectively. Princeton jumped three spots from last year’s finish to third while Saint Joseph’s and Navy round out the top five.

The women will open the event at Penn State with a 10 a.m. gun while the men will begin their race at 10:45 a.m.