After a 10-year absence from the NCAA Division III Championships, the men's cross country team surprised many when it reached the most competitive meet of the season and finished in 20th place out of 32 teams, recording 512 points. This season, the team expects an appearance in the NCAA Championships, and anything less would be a disappointment.The team is ranked third in the Division III New England Region behind Williams College and Amherst College and 13th nationally, the highest ranking among all University Athletic Association squads.

"We're really excited," runner Paul Norton '11 said. "We definitely expect to make [NCAAs] this year."

Brandeis graduated only four runners at the end of last year-Jake Devereaux, Matt Jennings, Matt Phillippo and Mike Stone-and returns Devon Holgate '11 after he did not compete last season. The team also welcomes rookie Alex Kramer '13, a Massachusetts native who won the New England Regional Championships in the one-mile run in high school.

With most of its top runners back on the team, Norton was not surprised by the team's high ranking but said it would be a different experience for a team that has not had such attention before.

"I think it's new to have these expectations on us," he said. "We hadn't made NCAAs in 10 years, and when you return [a lot of runners], people look out for you."

The Judges won their only head-to-head meet last season against Bentley College to open the fall schedule last year and had a number of top finishes throughout the season in various competitive meets.

Aside from their 20th-place finish at the NCAA Championships, the Judges were fourth of eight teams at the UAA Championships and fourth of 49 teams at the New England Division III Regional Championships.

Norton said he thinks the team will live up to its rankings and improve upon its finishes from last season.

"We should be challenging to win at UAAs and regionals and should be fighting for a spot on the podium at NCAAs," he said.

Norton added that during preseason training, the team has focused on preparing for the meets later in the season leading up to the championship meets.

"We have a few small injuries here and there but nothing serious," Norton said. "I don't think we'll be full strength for the first few meets, but we'll be ready for November."

On the women's side, the Judges hope that the loss of only two runners from last year to graduation-Katy Agule and Rebecca Happnie-will not be detrimental to a team that has room to improve but still is respected in the cross country community.

Brandeis is ranked ninth in New England and expects that its standing in a tough region will translate into successful late-season meets.

"We're one of the top contenders in our league and our region, and as long as we stay healthy, I think we'll do well throughout the season," captain Beth Pisarik '10 said.

The Judges started off very well last season, defeating Bentley College in its opening meet and then taking third place of 41 teams at the UMass-Dartmouth Invitational, but the team struggled at the UAA Championships, finishing seventh of eight teams.

Brandeis fared well at the New England Division III Championships, however, taking 13th place out of 39 teams. Marie Lemay '11 highlighted the team's performance at the regional championships by improving her placement in the six-kilometer-run by 60 places. Lemay took 41st place in the race after finishing 101st in her rookie season the year before.

This year, the women's team will also strive for higher goals.

"We're always going for UAA title, but I guess we'll see how far we can go once we start competing," Alyssa Pisarik '12 said. "We have really high hopes this year."

The men's and women's cross country teams will open the season against Bentley College Friday at 3 p.m. Last season, the men's team defeated Bentley in a 19-42 decision while the women's team beat the Falcons in a 20-41 decision.