SPEARFISH - Scott Walkinshaw's favorite time of the season is here.

The Black Hills State head cross country coach is preparing to lead his men's and women's teams into the Dakota Athletic Conference meet this Saturday in Madison. If recent history is any guide this should be a successful weekend for the Yellow Jackets.

BHSU has claimed eight of the last nine conference titles on the women's side and seven of eight for the men including the last six in a row. However, Walkinshaw is careful not to take anything for granted.

"It may appear (that we are the favorite) but Dickinson (State) is going to be scrambling and pushing us very hard," he said.

The men enter the final - and most important - two race stretch of the season ranked 12th while the women are ninth heading into the conference and hopefully national meet.

The conference champion automatically qualifies for the NAIA national championships with the remaining six or seven spots going to at-large teams.

"The conference meet is our most important meet because our kids are excited to represent the program, college and face expectations. Nationals are a bonus," Walkinshaw said. "By the time all of the conference champions are in there are only something like six or seven at-large teams and you are going to have to be ranked in the top 30 to even have a chance at that."

Even though BHSU has finished as the runner-up at nationals three times in the last eight years, Walkinshaw still feels his team is running for respect. The differences in financial capabilities between NAIA schools range drastically making it hard to complete on a level playing field with some of the top schools, but the Yellow Jackets have prided themselves on developing top-notch runners.

"We have some very dedicated kids who work very hard," Walkinshaw said. "I think we have one of the best areas to train, and we have thrived over the years by developing kids."

The Yellow Jackets have come a long way since Walkinshaw first arrived on campus 11 years ago with just two runners comprising the men's squad.

This year's squad is unique for the size of both the men's and women's team. The depth has allowed the Yellow Jackets to overcome some injuries and still remain one of the top teams in the region.

The men are paced by senior Cody Bordewyk who is coming off a victory at the Mount Marty Invitational. His development and leadership as well as the strong running of Mark Mazza, K.C. Fiedler, Birch Haraden and Jed Morgan have kept the Yellow Jackets running strong.

"Cody came into his own as a runner as a sophomore and he just keeps improving," Walkinshaw said. "We didn't know if we would have the front-runners this year like we have in the past, but they have all done their part very well."

The trio of Kerry Nekuda, Wendy O'Lexey and Alicia Verhulst has led the women all season long.

"Kerry has an injury and will miss the conference meet which is too bad because she is the defending champions, but if we make it to nationals we are hoping she can run there," Walkinshaw said. "Wendy is having a great year and Alicia is having a great season. It is nice to have seniors because they are motivated."

The strong contributions of Shelli Scheffler, Katie Cook and Leigh Anne Whiteside have not gone unnoticed by Walkinshaw, who said those runners would all run at nationals if his team was to advance, leaving just one spot open for the remaining runners.

Before the Yellow Jackets can think about nationals they need to continue a dominance of the DAC on Saturday that has seen the program crown eight conference champions and 10 individual runners-up since 2000.