INDIANAPOLIS – Slippery Rock University has been selected as the host site of the 2011 NCAA Division II Atlantic Regional Cross Country Championships, which will take place Nov. 5 at Cooper's Lake Campground.

“We're very excited to have the opportunity to host this championship meet,” said head coach John Papa. “We had the privilege of hosting this meet and the National Championships in 2008 and we're really looking forward to welcoming everyone back to our home course.”

A large photo display from the 2008 National Championship meet at Cooper's Lake, shown here, is featured at the NCAA's Hall of Champions in Indianapolis.

The Rock's home course has become one of the most renowned courses in Pennsylvania and one of the top sites for cross country races in the northeast.

Annually, the course hosts thousands of runners of all ages, from elementary school through senior college and unattached athletes.

“We traditionally host close to one meet every weekend during the fall, because our course provides a great mix of spectator-friendliness and a challenging layout,” said Papa.

The course, which will be 6,000-meters for the women's race and 10,000-meters for the men's race, is entirely grass and features several rolling hills and corners, while allowing spectators a chance to watch nearly the entire race from one central location. The cherry-on-top is the course's finishing chute, which brings runners through a castle entrance in the final 200 meters of the race.

More details about the championship meet, including course maps, area travel guides and coverage information will be posted at www.RockAthletics.com at the beginning of the 2011 fall season.