2021 NCAA DI Men’s Cross Country National Coaches’ Poll – Week 2
NEW ORLEANS – Moving week came early this year.
A big weekend of cross country would certain do that.
Here is the newest edition of the NCAA Division I Men’s Cross Country National Coaches’ Poll, which was released on Tuesday by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA). Twenty-three different programs shifted spots in the top-30 in Week 2, including three in the top-5 as well as three new faces in the national index.
NCAA Division I — Men's Cross Country
This Week's National Top Five
1
Northern Arizona
Northern Arizona
2
Notre Dame
Notre Dame
3
BYU
BYU
3
Stanford
Stanford
5
Oklahoma State
Oklahoma State
Cross Country Polls & Rankings
Top-ranked Northern Arizona isn’t going anywhere, at least anytime soon. The Lumberjacks, who hold 10 of 11 possible first-place votes, solidified their spot on top of the National Coaches’ Poll with a dominant victory at the Cowboy Jamboree this past weekend. NAU put the hammer down in the final 2k of the race to win by 22 points over host Oklahoma State, 40-62. The Lumberjacks put three runners in the top-5, as Abdihamid Nur, Nico Young and Drew Bosley finished third, fourth and fifth, respectively.
Notre Dame held steady at No. 2 after a near-perfect score at the National Catholic Championships. The Irish, who own the lone remaining first-place vote, put up 16 points and used a slim, 10-second spread between its first through fifth runners to do so.
Stanford jumped two spots and share the No. 3 spot with BYU. The Cardinal made quick work of the competition at the Florida State XC Open this past weekend, winning by 29 points over former No. 20 Furman. Charles Hicks and Cole Sprout led Stanford in second and third place, respectively, while Thomas Boyden and Evan Burke also finished in the top-10.
Oklahoma State moseyed its way into the top-5 for the first time this season. The Cowboys, who finished runner-up behind NAU at the Cowboy Jamboree, saw reigning National Athlete of the Week Isai Rodriguez win going away and set an 8k course record in the process.
Colorado parlayed a strong season-opening effort at the Cowboy Jamboree into a four-spot improvement. The Buffs, who are now ranked eighth, matched Oklahoma State with 62 points, but lost out on runner-up honors due to the tiebreaker. Eduardo Herrera paced Colorado with a runner-up individual finish behind Rodriguez.
Alabama went from the Land of the Not Ranked – not even receiving votes – to No. 15. The Crimson Tide, who are one of three new additions in Week 2 (No. 21 Texas and No. 29 Florida State are the others), romped to the team title at the North Alabama Showcase. Alabama swept the podium with individual champion Victor Kiprop, runner-up Eliud Kipsang and third-place Hillary Cheruiyot, in addition to Jacob Wiggers also placing in the top-10.
Another notable climb was that of North Carolina, up six spots from Week 1 to No. 23 in Week 2. The Tar Heels rolled to the team title at the adidas XC Challenge over several top-30 programs thanks to putting their entire scoring lineup in the top-10. Parker Wolfe led the way with his first collegiate individual title, covering the 6k tract in 17:48.0.
Mark your calendar for Saturday, November 20, because that’s when the 2021 NCAA Division I Cross Country Championships will be held at Apalachee Regional Park in Tallahassee, Florida!
