HELENA, Mont. -- The Carroll College men's and women's cross country teams open their seasons on Friday with their only home meet over the season, the Carroll College Early Bird Open to be run at Bill Roberts Golf Course. 

The Fighting Saints will welcome in a quality field of runners. Teams from Montana State, Rocky Mountain College, Providence and MSU-Northern. About 35 entrants are expected in both men's and women's races.

For first year head coach Shannon Flynn, the opening meet couldn't come at a better time.

"Overall, I think they're really excited to race," Flynn said. "They put in a lot of miles and a lot of mountain running and a lot of hard workouts these past few weeks."

The goal for the Saints early on in the season will be less on time and placement and more on being competitive and seeing what this year's roster can do.  

"We're hopeful that we're not putting a lot of pressure on times and particular places this week," Flynn said. "We're trying to emphasize racing, competing and making sure that we are smart and are drawing energy from each other and grouping up with our teammates and working together that way."

The women will run a 5K, while the men will run an 8K. 

The Carroll women were ranked No. 23 in the NAIA Women's Cross Country Coaches' Poll. 

On the women's side, I think we'll be competitive in the conference," Flynn said. "And it's a tough conference. I think we have a great freshmen group of girls. I think we'll be able to compete."

Ten runners make up the women's team, including Hannah Johnson, Traci Johnston, London Lambrecht, Taylor Leistiko, Peyton Lipp, Elly Machado, Katelyn McKay, Kendyl Pierson, Reghan Worley and Natalie Yocum. 

The men's team, while fewer in numbers, will still be in the thick of it in the Frontier Conference. The team is made up of John Cooney, Anthony Langton, Noah Majerus, Jesse McMurtrey, Joe O'Sullivan, Alex Olmes and Spencer Swaim. A season ago, Cooney qualified for nationals.

The women's race begins at 11 a.m., while the men's race will follow at 11:45 a.m.http://competitivetiming.com/carroll_open/