The Stanford men’s and women’s track teams will open their postseasons this weekend at the Pac-10 Championships in Tucson, Ariz. The men’s team enters the event ranked at No. 12 in the country, while the women’s team is unranked.

The men’s team, which last won a conference title in 2002, will rely on a core of talented runners to boost its point totals. The team’s best events are the distance races, where junior Chris Derrick will defend his titles in the 5,000 and 10,000 meters. Senior Elliott Heath is expected to contend as well, after winning the NCAA indoor title in the 3,000 meters.

Though the women’s team is ranked behind several Pac-10 opponents, it will send several field event standouts to Arizona. Junior Katerina Stefanidi will defend her title in the pole vault. In the running events, the Cardinal’s best hope for success is senior distance runner Stephanie Marcy.

The running events will start on Friday evening, with the field events and the remainder of the track events scheduled for Saturday.