CHARLESTON, Ill. - The Eastern Illinois men's and women's cross country teams will step up in competition on Friday afternoon when they compete at the Notre Dame Invitational as part of the Gold Division race.

Racing for the women will begin at 1 p.m. (Central) on the South Bend campus while the men's race is scheduled to start at 1:45 p.m.

The Panthers last competed at the Illinois Intercollegiate hosted by Illinois State. In that race Olivia Klaus placed 13th overall in the women's race as she earned OVC Female Runner of the Week honors for the second time this season.

The women's gold division includes other NCAA Division I schools Ball State, Buffalo, Fresno State, Indiana State, IUPUI, Northern Illinois, Oakland, Texas San Antonio, UW Green Bay, Valparaiso, West Virginia, Western Michigan and Youngstown State.

The men's gold division race includes other NCAA Division I schools Buffalo, Eastern Michigan, IUPUI, Texas San Antonio, UW Green Bay, Valparaiso, Youngstown State and the Notre Dame "B" team.