This invitational is a homecoming of sorts for Penn State head coach Beth Alford-Sullivan. Sullivan is very familiar with the course her team will compete on tomorrow.
"It's a classy, flat and solid course all-together with a fast straight away and home stretch," said Alford-Sullivan.
Sullivan would know a lot bout this course; it's the same one she ran on as a child.
Sullivan grew up in Minneapolis and is looking forward to returning home for tomorrow's festivities.
The return to Minnesota brings back bad memories for one of Penn State's top runners. Molly Landreth, the junior who has led the Lions in every race for the past two years remembers struggling on this course her freshman year with the team.
"I never want to go back here ever again," said Landreth after Roy Griak freshman year.
Obviously, Landreth doesn't have a hard time moving forward and forgetting the past.
It's safe to say the junior who took home All-Region and All-Big Ten honors a year ago has made a significant turnaround since the last time she raced there.
The Lions finished third at the Big Ten championships last year and they'll get their first chance to see how this year's team matches up with the rest of the Big Ten.
A chance that the team barks at.
"We're the underdogs, we have nothing to lose," said senior co-captain Megan Gilliland.
Last year the Lions finished sixth overall at Roy Griak. Anything short of finishing in the top ten again will be a disappointment for this year's cross country team.
