2017 NCAA DII Cross Country Women’s National Coaches’ Poll – Week 3
NEW ORLEANS – Three teams made some noise in the top-10 of the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) NCAA Division II Women’s National Coaches’ Poll on Wednesday, as Hillsdale and Cal Baptist improved their standings, while Pittsburg State broke into the rankings altogether.
The Gorillas of Pittsburg State placed second at the Roy Griak Invitational, just two points behind Simon Fraser – who sits fifth in the polls for the second-straight week. Ashton Henson (22:57.3 – eighth) and Piper Misse (23:00.8 – 10th) both finished in the top-10 collegiately at the prestigious race to vault the Gorillas all the way to seventh in the polls after going unranked during the first three weeks.
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Hillsdale shot up two spots to fourth, despite an idle week on the cross country circuit. The ranking for the Chargers marks the highest spot for the program since wrapping up the 2015 campaign in third.
Cal Baptist also posted a big win to rise one spot to sixth after taking home the title at the San Francisco State Invitational. Anett Somogyi captured the individual championship for the Lancers, finishing in 21:11.5, and was immediately followed across the finish line by teammates Emeline Delanis (21:16.6), Leanda du Bruyn (21:29.0) and Fruzsina Ladanyi (21:41.8).
Grand Valley State, Adams State and Western State remained in the top-three spots in that respective order after inactive weekends.
The bottom chunk of the top-10 was also idle on the course and in the rankings, as Southern Indiana (eighth), Cal State San Marcos (ninth) and Cedarville (10th) rounded out the top-10 in spots they all have become accustomed to.
Nine teams slipped in the polls in the bottom 15 spots, but an additional three gained some ground after strong weeks.
Oklahoma Baptist and UC-Colorado Springs are now tied for 16th after moving up three and seven spots, respectively. UC-Colorado Springs dominated the Trevecca Nazarene DII Showcase with Kayla Wooten (18:09.4) paced the race that featured nearly 150 women, while four other Mountain Lions finished within the top-10. Oklahoma Baptist did not compete this past weekend.
Augustana (S.D.) crept back into the rankings after a falling out of the top-25 following the preseason poll. The Vikings finished fourth at the Roy Griak Invitational, thanks in large part to the performance from Mackenzie Kelly. The junior finished fourth overall with a time of 22:49.4.
