KALAMAZOO -- The Western Michigan cross country hosts Eastern Michigan and Hope College for the annual George Dales Invitational at Pine View Golf Club in Three Rivers, Mich., on Friday afternoon.

The 6k race begins at 5 p.m. The Broncos are looking to rebound from a disappointing start to the season that saw them take third at the Crusader Open at Valparaiso.

Eastern Michigan has won the past two George Dales Invitationals. Last season the Broncos finished just shy of defeating their conference rivals, with Hope College taking third. The last time the Broncos won the GDI was in 2009 when WMU defeated EMU in a dual meet 27-29.

The GDI is named after WMU Athletics Hall of Fame coach George Dales, who led the WMU men's cross country team to two NCAA Championships in 1964 and 1965.