Western’s men’s cross country team is back in a familiar spot.

For the second year in a row, the Toppers take on the role of the underdog as they travel to Monroe, La., in pursuit of their second straight Sun Belt Championship title.

A season ago, counted out and overlooked, Western was expected to finish second to rival Middle Tennessee State.

But the Blue Raiders’ number-one runner was unable to finish the race while Western’s team posted season-best times and took the title.

“Whether you are the underdog or the favorite, you can lose on any given day, and you can win on any given day,” Head Coach Erik Jenkins said. “This is what we are in it for.”

Because the Toppers are not favored, there won’t be much pressure on the team, junior Mark Bowers said.

Bowers said he hopes Western can pull off a “miracle.”

“I don’t feel like there is stress on us,” Bowers said. “I want to go there relaxed and perform the best that I can on that day.

Like last year, being an underdog has its advantages, senior Patrick Jenkins said.

“It takes a lot of pressure off of you,” he said. “Teams aren’t gunning for you. They are gunning for other teams. It’s easier to fly under the radar.”

The Toppers’ and their opponents’ results from previous races no longer matter, Patrick Jenkins said.

“We have not run some of the times that would quite jump out at people,” he said. “But we have also been in this position before, and it’s what you do on championship day.”

The team’s improved performance on the day of last season’s championship made the surprise win possible, Bowers said.

“During the race, I thought, ‘There is no way we are winning this meet,’” Bowers said. “When I was done, I still thought we didn’t win. Our top five did not have a great season. But on that day, our top five competed and got things done.”

Patrick Jenkins said it will take another unbelievable effort like last year to win again.

“Everyone has to run the best they can to the best of their ability on that day,” he said. “Some guys ran well other races, and other guys have run well in these certain races, but it has to be simultaneous. Everyone has to be clicking.”

How well the team performs in the conference championship is a reflection on how successful the season was, Bowers said.

“Basically what our season comes down to is the conference championships,” Bowers said. “It means all of our team performed well on the same day at the same time. It means we were the best team that year.”

Although the Toppers haven’t had a strong season, Patrick Jenkins said he believes the team is prepared for race day.

“Anything can happen,” he said. “Seeing the workouts we’ve put in and times we’ve ran, I don’t know if it would be as much of a surprise as a relief that we finally put together the race that we knew we have been able to put together all season long.”