2019 NCAA DI Women’s Cross Country Regional Rankings – Week 5
NEW ORLEANS – A big weekend of racing means big changes in the NCAA Division I Women’s Cross Country Regional Rankings as released by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) on Monday.
Four new teams sit atop their region and a multitude of other shakeups occurred as we get deeper into the season.
SEE MORE: NCAA DI Men’s Cross Country Regional Rankings
GREAT LAKES REGION
There was a change at the top in the Great Lakes Region between Week 4 and Week 5.
Wisconsin regains the No. 1 spot for the first time since the preseason rankings. The Badgers, led by individual winner Alicia Monson, placed fourth at the Nuttycombe Wisconsin Invitational. No. 2 Michigan placed fourth at Pre-Nationals.
Michigan State, Notre Dame, and Ohio State sit at No. 3, No. 4, and No. 5, respectively for the fifth straight week.
MID-ATLANTIC REGION
The Mid-Atlantic saw some changes between Week 4 and Week 5.
Penn State jumped four spots to take back the No. 1 spot following a win at the Penn State National. No. 2 Georgetown stayed put for a second week.
Penn and Princeton slid down to No. 3 and No. 4, respectively. No. 5 Villanova moved up a spot from No. 6 from their showing at Nuttycombe to round out the region.
MIDWEST REGION
Some shakeups occurred in the Midwest from Week 4 to Week 5.
The new No. 1 team is Illinois following sixth-place finish at Pre-Nationals. The Fighting Illini earned their highest regional ranking in program history following a steady climb up the ranks. Oklahoma State climbed up two spots to No. 2, also turning in a solid team effort at Pre-Nationals.
Minnesota, Tulsa, and Missouri sit at No. 3, No. 4, and No. 5, respectively. Tulsa moved up two spots for their first top-5 appearance since 2016.
MOUNTAIN REGION
The Mountain Region continued to evolve from Week 4 to Week 5.
No. 1 BYU stayed put after a runner-up finish in the team standings at Pre-Nationals, led by individual winner Erica Birk. No. 2 Colorado moved up one spot, finishing third at Pre-Nationals.
Northern Arizona continues to be impressive and moved up three spots to No. 3. The Lumberjacks placed sixth at Nuttycombe and taking down a handful of nationally ranked teams in the process.
No. 4 Air Force moved up one spot from an eighth-place finish at Nuttycombe, placing ahead of now No. 5 New Mexico.
NORTHEAST REGION
There were a few adjustments in the Northeast from Week 4 to Week 5.
Columbia is the new No. 1 team in the region after turning in a strong effort at the Nuttycombe Invitational. Boston College moved up one spot to No. 2 due to the Eagles placing ninth at Pre-Nationals.
Syracuse slid down to No. 3 with the rise of Columbia and Boston College, while Providence moved up two spots to No. 4 for their first top-5 appearance of the season. Yale remained at No. 5 to round out the top teams.
SOUTH REGION
The South saw some adjustments from Week 4 to Week 5.
Florida State remained the No. 1 team after finishing fifth at Pre-Nationals, while No. 2 Georgia Tech jumped up two spots from a second-place finish at the Penn State National.
Ole Miss and Tennessee moved down to No. 3 and No. 4, respectively. Middle Tennessee achieved its highest placement in program history at No. 5. The Blue Raiders placed second at the Arturo Barrios Invitational.
SOUTH CENTRAL
There was little change in the South Central from Week 4 to Week 5.
No. 1 Arkansas and No. 2 Texas are favored to receive automatic bids to NCAAs. The Razorbacks rolled to a win at Nuttycombe.
Texas A&M stayed steady in the No. 3 spot like it has all season. Rice moved up three spots to No. 4 after placing third at the Santa Clara Bronco Invitational. Houston dropped to No. 5 to round out the top teams.
SOUTHEAST REGION
The Southeast remained the same between Week 4 and Week 5.
No. 1 NC State and No. 2 Furman remain to be the favorites to receive automatic bids to the NCAA Championships, while Virginia Tech, Duke, and Wake Forest remained at No. 3, No. 4, and No. 5, respectively.
WEST REGION
There was one change in the West between Week 4 and Week 5.No. 1 Stanford and No. 2 Washington remain as the favorites to receive automatic bids into NCAAs, while No. 3 Boise State and No. 4 Oregon remained the same.
California Baptist won the Arturo Barrios Invitational this past weekend and moved up to No. 5, achieving its highest placement in program history.
