This post was updated Nov. 1 at 12:18 a.m.

Friday’s affair could mean two things for the Bruins.

On one cylinder, it’ll be a formal introduction to a brand new era. But on the other, it marks a finish line for some racers’ collegiate careers.

UCLA cross country is set to compete in the Big Ten Championships in Savoy, Illinois, hosted at Illinois’ Orange and Blue golf courses. The contest will mark the Bruins’ second taste of Big Ten time zones, setting their clocks two hours ahead as UCLA heads into unfamiliar territory.

“It’s three 2K loops, so that is really exciting,” said senior Carly Corsinita. “We’ll have the opportunity to really check in with our coaches at a specific point each loop.”

Eighteen programs will journey to Savoy, including fellow Big Ten newcomers Oregon, Washington and USC. Despite being new to the conference, both the Ducks’ and Huskies’ women’s and men’s teams boast top-30 rankings, with the latter holding the No. 2 spot on the women’s side.

Assistant coach Andrew Ferris said things seem to be turning around after the men’s team was banged up earlier this season.

“I’ve been really happy with the consistency we’ve had so far this year,” Ferris said. “The people we knew we were always going to count on this year are healthy and fine.”

Ahead of the competition, the Bruins set specific goals within themselves. For instance, graduate student Jack Rosencrans – a transfer from Pomona-Pitzer’s Division III program – said he wants to clock a personal record in the 8K race.

“I’m taking it as an opportunity to prove to myself that I had a really good training block,” Rosencrans said. “I hope that leads me to a time under 24 minutes because that would be a personal best of mine.”

Alongside Rosencrans, senior Michael Mireles is one of the other six Bruins slated to compete Friday. Mireles is fresh off his season debut at the Bill Dellinger Invitational, where he notched UCLA’s only top-10 finish, placing sixth overall.

As for the team’s success, UCLA is taking a different approach this year. Ferris said even the team’s blue uniforms will play a role in their strategic method.

“White is the traditional championship color for UCLA, but strategically, we’re going to be in blue so that we can spot each other and navigate the race together,” Ferris said.

On the women’s side, Corsinita and senior Mia Kane are set to make their final postseason appearance with the Bruins, with both using their final years of eligibility this season.

“There’s no greater group of people that I’ve ever had the privilege to surround myself with,” Corsinita said. “I’m going to give it everything I have on Friday, and I know that when I cross that finish line, I’ll feel completely fulfilled.”

Kane and Mireles have been some of UCLA’s most anticipated runners all year since the pair was named to the Big Ten Cross Country Preseason Players Watch List. Despite getting a late start to the regular season, Kane recorded a team-leading finish at the Bill Dellinger Invitational.

The starting guns of UCLA’s first-ever Big Ten Championships will go hot at 8:35 a.m. Friday.