SPRINGFIELD, Mass. - Western New England University will be the host of the 2012 Commonwealth Coast Conference Men’s and Women’s Cross Country Championships on Saturday, October 27.

Western New England will be joined by squads from Curry College, Eastern Nazarene College, Endicott College, Gordon College, Roger Williams University, Salve Regina University, and University of New England in the run for the 2012 conference crowns.

The Roger Williams Hawks, defending men’s champion, will look to capture their 12 consecutive CCC men's championship, while the Salve Regina Seahawks will look to repeat as the women's champion.

An exciting day of racing will begin with the women’s championship at 12:00 p.m., followed by the men’s championship at 1:00 p.m. The women’s race will cover 6,000 meters, while the men will traverse an 8,000 meter course.

Saturday’s races will serve as a final tune up before the ECAC Championships, which will be hosted by Williams College on Saturday, November 3, and the NCAA Division III New England Regional Championships which will be hosted by Westfield State University on Saturday, November 10. Teams and runners are ultimately hoping to qualify for the NCAA Division III Championships scheduled for Saturday, November 17 in Terre Haute, Indianapolis .

The 2011 CCC Championships were among the most exciting in conference history. Salve Regina claimed the women's title with 35 points, edging University of New England by one point for the top spot, while ending the 11-year reign of the Roger Williams women. The Roger Williams men captured their 11th crown with 20 points, topping University of New England (61) for the victory.