SPOKANE, Wash. -- All the chips will be on the table on Saturday as Northwest Conference runners line up at the PLU golf course starting line for the 2006 NWC Championships. One of the most competitive days of racing in many years is expected as many schools come into the meet quite improved over 2005. The men's race is scheduled to begin at 10:00 am, while the women's starting gun will go off at 11:00 am.

Both the Whitworth men and women are familiar and confident in the race course after winning the team titles at the PLU Invitational earlier this month. Julie Lauterbach, a senior, led the Pirate women to the team title by coming from behind to take the individual victory. Freshman Jo E Mayer, and juniors Andrea Carnahan and Emily Hurd each have a chance to race well and finish among the top 14 individual placers, which would earn all-conference honors.

"I have not coached a more committed and dedicated team of women," said Whitworth head coach Toby Schwarz. "They are not only talented, but have sacrificed much to put themselves in a position to battle for the top places in the conference meet."

The Pirate women finished third at last year's championships. Lauterbach placed fifth, earning All-NWC honors. Willamette is the defending women's champion.

The Whitworth men also hope to improve on last season's third place finish. Senior Jeff Grassley, junior Jacob Deitz and freshman Dusty Caseria have all run well for the Pirates this season. All could battle for spots among the top 14 finishers. All placed among the top ten at the PLU Invitational.

"The good news is this is the best team we have had in the past decade and they are more ready to compete than any team I have coached," said Schwarz. "The challenging news is the rest of the conference has stepped up to a new level, with each school having a shot to displace another school from their expected team finish."

Whitworth's team will rely on depth in its attempt to unseat defending champion Willamette and 2005 runner up Puget Sound.

Following the NWC Championships this weekend, the team will have a weekend off before heading to the NCAA West Region meet at Prado Park in Chino, California on November 11th.