Mark Korir has already etched his name among the best runners in Wyoming cross country history.

He finished 19th at the NCAA Championships a year ago to become just the third harrier in UW history to twice earn such an honor.

Korir was also first-team all-Mountain West Conference and finished fifth in the Mountain Region a year ago.

All of that sounds real nice, but he's not buying that it's the best he can do.

"I really want to improve even better than that," Korir said. "I'm comfortable with what I've done, but I truly want to try to put more in than that."

The three-month long journey to what he hopes is his best finish at nationals begins Friday in Laramie with the Wyoming Invitational.

It's his last chance - and he calls it his best chance - for a top-10 finish in November at Terre Haute, Ind.

"I feel a lot better," Korir said. "With time, I've had experience so I think this will be the big season for me. I'm so excited for this; I'm prepared."

Coming off an All-American indoor track season as well, the Eldoret, Kenya, native has tweaked his training in order to reach his peak performance.

"I'm trying to incorporate some things that I didn't do before," Korir said. "Most of the time I've had to do a lot of endurance, but I'm also incorporating some speed work in there so that will give me the quick turnover with my legs.

"That improves me a lot."

So will a strong schedule.

The Pokes will make stops at the Roy Griak Invitational in Minneapolis and the Pre-National Invitational in Terre Haute.

"Personally, I want individual titles, but also as a team we need to put something together so we can be able to punch our ticket as a team to go to nationals," Korir said. "And we have a big chance this time. I see that my teammates are really getting that experience and our team is improving. And the new guys coming in will help us a lot."

The Pokes return all five letterwinners from a year ago, including four seniors: Michael Huntington, Brett Schuler, Shadrack Too and Korir.

The team finished fifth in the MWC last year, but Korir said he expects the team to be "way, way, way better."

The women's team lost 2007 NCAA Championships-qualifier Gretchen Johnson, but returns four letterwinners, led by Emily Higgins.

Higgins, a second-team all-MWC performer last season after finishing 14th at the conference meet, hopes to qualify for nationals this season.

She's joined by fellow juniors Brenna Dooley and Erin Heffron. And with just one senior - Nikki Peterson - UW will rely on its youth, including sophomores Alysha Davis and Emily Byra.

But it will be hard for eyes to stray from Korir as he tries to cement himself as the best cross country runner in school history.

"With time, as you run, you get that experience and you improve every time," Korir said. "I believe this will be the best season for me."

Contact sports reporter Eric Schmoldt at (307) 266-0578 or eric.schmoldt@trib.com.

CROSS COUNTRY TRACKER

FRIDAY: The Wyoming cross country teams open their season with their only home meet - the Wyoming Invitational.

INVITE INFO: The race takes place at Jacoby Golf Course in Laramie, with the women's race beginning at 6 p.m. followed by the men's race at 6:30 p.m.

HE SAID IT: "As a team (this season) we need to put something together so we can be able to punch our ticket as a team to go to nationals." -UW senior Mark Korir.

UP NEXT: The Pokes travel to Bozeman, Mont., for the Montana State Invitational on Sept. 20.