FAYETTEVILLE -- Runners at the NCAA Cross Country Championships don't figure to have to deal with snow -- there's only a 14% chance of precipitation for Saturday's races according to the National Weather Service -- on the Thomas Zimmer Course in Madison, Wis., but temperatures are forecast to be 37 degrees with the wind chill making it feel like 32.
Arkansas will be represented by its No. 3-ranked men's team and No. 24 women's team that swept titles at the NCAA South Central Regional to earn automatic spots at the NCAA Championships.
When the Razorbacks won regional titles in College Station, Texas -- 1,132 miles south of Madison -- on Nov. 15 temperatures were in the 60s.
"We're not really worried about the weather, it's only an issue if you make it one," Arkansas men's coach Chris Bucknam said. "It's not really a topic of conversation. We know the best team is going to win if you take that off the table."
Lance Harter, the interim coach for the Arkansas women's team, said the cold weather should be an advantage for the Razorbacks considering their top runners are used to it.
Arkansas' lineup includes Paityn Noe from Iowa, Sydney Thorvaldson from Wyoming, Mia Cochran from Pennsylvania and Tiana LoStracco from Canada.
"The cold weather is actually something that's very pleasantly received by this crew," Harter said. "So they're not intimidated with the idea it's going to be chilly.
"They think this will play in their favor while some other people are going to freak out."
Arkansas' men already won in Madison earlier this year when they took the title at the Pre-Nationals meet on Oct. 19 with 89 points.
Three Razorbacks finished among the top eight with Patrick Kiprop fourth, Kirami Yego seventh and Yaseen Abdalla eighth.
That trio figures to lead Arkansas at the NCAA Championships along with Timothy Chesondin, Ben Shearer, Reuben Reina and Elias Schreml.
"The key is that every one of our seven athletes who are competing are ready to go to a dark place between 7 and 9 kilometers," Bucknam said. "To me, it's about going to that spot you really haven't been before physically or emotionally. So that's really going to make the difference for us."
The women's 6,000 meters race starts at 9:20 a.m. Central with the men's 10,000 meters race at 10:10 a.m. Both races will be televised live on ESPNU.
Arkansas' men's team is ranked behind No. 1 BYU and No. 2 Oklahoma State, the defending national champion. The top 10 ranked teams include Iowa State, New Mexico, Northern Arizona, Wisconsin, Alabama, Stanford and North Carolina.
The Razorbacks have won 11 NCAA titles with their most recent in 2000.
"Positioning is really important," Bucknam said. "You can't go [all out] too soon, and you can't go there too late. We've got to time it up right.
"We've got a talented team, and we match up good with the other programs. It's just a question if all five [scorers] do that."
BYU is ranked No. 1 in the women's national poll followed by Oregon, Northern Arizona, West Virginia and Notre Dame.
Finishing among the top 20 would be a strong showing for Arkansas to end the season.
"At the national meet every point is crucial," Harter said. "The key is that our front three have to run to be All-American and all three of them are capable of placing among the top 40 runners.
"Then No. 4 and 5 have to do their job. If 4 and 5 take care of business they'll really dictate the ultimate team finish.
"These kids are excited about the opportunity. We've done everything we possibly can to make sure they're ready at an optimal level. We're looking forward to the challenge."