Defending champs are among those entered this Saturday (September 28) for the 41st annual Doug Conley Cross Country Invitational at Tempe's Rolling Hills Golf Course. 

Attempting the elite girls race repeat is Xaver Prep, which bested Desert Vista for the top spot in 2012. Small-school power Rio Rico defends its boys title and and faces a field that also contains Corona del Sol, Ironwood Ridge, Page and Hopi. 

As of Monday 18 schools are checked in for the elite girls race and 21 for elite boys race. Elite girls teams entered: Basha, Corona del Sol, Desert Vista, Flowing Wells, Ganado, Hamilton, Highland, Hopi, Ironwood Ridge, Page, Perry, Red Mountain, Rio Rico, Skyline, Tempe, Tuba City and Xavier. Elite boys teams entered: Brophy, Cactus Shadows, Campo Verde, Corona del Sol ,Desert Mountain, Desert Vista, Deer Valley, Hamilton, Highland, Holbrook, Hopi, Ironwood Ridge, Mesquite, Page, Perry, Red Mountain, Rincon, Rio Rico, Saguaro, Tuba City and Vista Grande.

There will be six races on Saturday -- non-varsity girls (8 a.m.);  non-varsity boys (8:30 a.m.); Open varsity girls (9 a.m.); Open varsity boys (9:30 a.m.); elite girls (10 a.m.) and elite boys (10:30 a.m.)