For the Penn State women's cross country team, it is do-or-die time.

At 10:45 a.m. on Sunday, the squad will take part in the 2002 Big Ten women's cross country championships at Purdue University in West Lafayette, Ind.

Going into the meet, the Nittany Lions know they are underdogs with five of the teams ranked in the top 30 in the FinishLynx Cross Country Poll.

"Wisconsin and Michigan State look to be the likely favorites," Penn State women's cross country coach Beth Alford-Sullivan said. "After those teams, it will be a dogfight for third through seventh. I really think that it will be a team that has a tight pack of runners that will land in the top three or four team finishes. We are capable of that, but so are many other teams."

The Lions expect to be led by freshman Tracey Brauksieck, the top finisher in each meet this season. Other top contributors for the squad include sophomores Molly Landreth, Chelsea Lenge and Michelle Wale, and juniors Katy Hillard, Tara Johnson and Maureen Thomas.

"We are really sticking to the basics for this race," Alford-Sullivan said. "There has been a little emphasis on the fact that this is the Big Ten's, and the importance of representing the blue and white with our best performances. To be honest, it will just take them being good competitors for Penn State."

The defending champion No. 23 Michigan State Spartans will look to junior and first-team All-Big Ten selection Michelle Carson to lead the way in their quest for a third championship. Carson won the Ray Griak and Spartan Invitationals this season for the team. Other top runners include senior Cindy Durocher and junior Jamie Krzyminski.

Winners of 13 Big Ten Championships, the No. 9 Wisconsin Badgers look to make a return appearance to the top of the podium. The Badgers return sophomores Michelle Lilienthal and Hilary Edmondson, both second-team All-Big Ten selections, and senior Elaine Canchola, a top finisher in each meet this season.

Other teams expected to contend include No. 18 Indiana, No. 24 Michigan and No. 27 Northwestern, with the squad's first ranking since 1998.

With the high level of competition, the Lions know the pressure will be on to succeed. A top-five finish will give the squad much needed momentum for the upcoming NCAA Regionals.

"We are capable of a top-five finish, and each of the athletes will do their best for that finish," Alford-Sullivan said. "If the team prepares to run with Penn State pride, and keeps it simple and does not find ways to undermine their success, we will do well."