The Iowa State Running Club will compete for the National Intercollegiate Running Club Association’s championship title this Sunday in Charlotte, N.C.

The men’s team is currently ranked No. 1 in the nation for the first time in the team’s three-year existence.

“Anything less than first this weekend will be considered a disappointment,” said junior Daniel Sevcik.

The men’s team placed fifth at last year’s national meet.

To be a member of running club one does not have to compete, but many enjoy that aspect.

“All of us aren’t fast enough to be at the collegiate level,” Sevcik said. “We wanted to do something where we could still race and have fun and compete against other colleges.”

Students do not need to be fearful of their running ability to join the club either.

“It’s for everyone,” said senior Luke Demmel. “Everybody runs at their own pace.”

The running club’s coach, Scott Gall, plans to initiate three separate training plans with different times and mileages allowing runners to train smart and run at their own paces.

Gall’s training has come in handy at Regionals where the men’s team had 12 runners compete on the 8,000-meter course and won first place at the Great Plains Regional meet in Columbia, Mo. with 33 points.

The women’s team placed third on the 6,000-meter course at Regionals, only one point behind second place finisher University of Missouri at Columbia.

The biggest competition for the men will be No. 2 Illinois who took second place at the Great Plains Regional, just six points behind Iowa State.

“Illinois’ roster is very similar to ours,” said running club president Mason Frank. “Their front runners are basically right there with us. It’s going to be a really close race at Nationals.”

Club treasurer David Sevcik, twin brother to Daniel, said that despite Illinois’ ability, the men’s team is confident in a first place finish.

“They haven’t beaten us yet,” David said.