Number 8 Washington women head to South Bend for Joe Piane Invitational...

As September turns into October, it's time for the state's collegiate cross country squads to start turning serious.

The University of Washington women's team, currently ranked number eight in the latest USTFCCCA Division I coaches' poll, heads east for a showdown Friday morning at the Joe Piane Invitational, hosted by Notre Dame at the Burke Golf Course in South Bend, Indiana.

The Huskies are traveling a dozen women, eight of which will run in the Blue division at 7:30 pacific time Friday morning.

The highly competitive women's Blue division 5k features twelve nationally-ranked teams, including five top-10 squads: co-No. 1 NC State, No. 3 New Mexico, No. 6 Alabama, No. 7 Minnesota and No. 8 Washington. Other ranked teams in the field include No. 15 Ole Miss, No. 18 Florida State, No. 19 Notre Dame, No. 21 Indiana, No. 23 Illinois, t-No. 29 Furman and t-No. 29 Princeton.

Washington goes into South Bend led by the duo of Pac-12 cross country champ and outdoor track All-American at 10000m Haley Herberg (#143/Paul Merca photo), and cross country All-American Allie Schadler.

Washington's preview of the Joe Piane Invitational is available here, while the link to live results is available here.

Saturday, the 13th-ranked Washington men's team, as well as the team from Seattle University heads south to Salem, Oregon for the Charles Bowles Invitational at Bush's Pasture Park, hosted by Willamette University, with the meet starting at 9:30 am.

The Huskies will travel a small squad to Salem, led by 2018 cross country All-American Tibebu Proctor.

The link to live results is available here, while the link to live video is available here.

NOTE: The USTFCCCA and the sports information offices of Notre Dame, Willamette, and the University of Washington contributed to this report.

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