2021 NCAA DII Women’s Cross Country Regional Rankings – Preseason

NEW ORLEANS – It feels great to be back.

Here is the preseason edition of the 2021 NCAA Division II Women’s Cross Country Regional Rankings, as released by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches’ Association (USTFCCCA) on Tuesday afternoon.

Atlantic Region

Edinboro and Davis & Elkins begin the season at No. 1 and No. 2, respectively.

The Fighting Scots, who finished 18th at the 2019 NCAA Division II Cross Country Championships, returns just one athlete from that lineup two years ago in Kimberly Groess. Edinboro won the 2020 PSAC Cross Country Championships that was held this past spring, in which Groess finished third individually.

The Senators, who finished 29th at the 2019 NCAA Division II Cross Country Championships, are looking to build off of a historical season that saw them become the first team in program history to qualify for the NCAA meet. Davis & Elkins welcomes back several athletes from that team, including All-Region honorees Madi Michels and Anya Miller.

No. 3 Seton Hill, No. 4 Charleston (W.VA.) and No. 5 Lock Haven round out the top-5.

Central Region

Augustana (S.D.) and U-Mary begin the season at No. 1 and No. 2, respectively.

The Vikings, who finished sixth at the 2019 NCAA Division II Cross Country Championships, return their entire team from two years ago. Augustana’s top returner is Nicolette Schmidt, who finished 43rd individually at the national championships. The Vikings also brought in seven newcomers that will add to the team’s depth.

The Marauders, who finished fifth at the 2019 NCAA Division II Cross Country Championships, welcome back two of their top returners from that team two years ago – Taylor Hestekin (84th) and Lacey Feist-Young (87th). Both women finished 29th and 46th, respectively, at the 2018 NCAA Division II Cross Country Championships that was held in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

No. 3 Winona State, No. 4 Pittsburg State and No. 5 Central Missouri round out the top-5.

East Region

Southern New Hampshire and Roberts Wesleyan begin the season at No. 1 and No. 2, respectively.

The Penmen, who finished 32nd at the 2019 NCAA Division II Cross Country Championships, return six athletes from its team two years ago and set their sights on another national championship qualifying squad. Pacing the Penmen will be All-American Ashley Corcoran, who finished 26th individually.

The Redhawks, who finished 28th at the 2019 NCAA Division II Cross Country Championships, return three athletes from their qualifying team two years ago. Abby Gostomski and Bailey Gostomski, two members of that NCAA team, had great track campaigns during the 2021 season and look to keep the momentum moving forward.

No. 3 Stonehill, No. 4 Adelphi and No. 5 Saint Anselm round out the top-5.

Midwest Region

Grand Valley State and Southern Indiana begin the season at No. 1 and No. 2, respectively.

The Lakers, who finished second at the 2019 NCAA Division II Cross Country Championships, will come in with a vastly different lineup compared to two years ago. Klaudia O’Malley, who finished 24th individually, is the lone returner from their NCAA runner-up team, but will be joined by numerous All-Americans on the track from the 2021 campaign in Taryn Chapko, Hannah Roeske and Kayce Rypma. The Lakers also added several newcomers and transfers to their roster that could make an immediate impact.

The Screaming Eagles, who finished 13th at the 2019 NCAA Division II Cross Country Championships, return five athletes from their team two years ago. Jennifer Comastri is the clear leader for this group after capturing All-America honors with a 23rd place finish individually. Comastri is also an All-American in the 5000 indoors this past season.

No. 3 Walsh, No. 4 Southwest Baptist and No. 5 Hillsdale round out the top-5.

South Region

Lee (Tenn.) and Tampa begin the season at No. 1 and No. 2, respectively.

The Flames, who finished 14th at the 2019 NCAA Division II Cross Country Championships, welcome back three returners from their NCAA lineup two years ago. Celine Ritter is unquestionably the front runner for the team. Ritter had a breakthrough 2021 track & field campaign, where she set PRs in everything from 800 meters up to 10,000 meters and set the NCAA DII record in the indoor 3000. She will be joined by Toni Moore, a NCAA qualifier both indoors and outdoors, along with two newcomers who will bolster their top-7.

The Spartans, who finished 23rd at the 2019 NCAA Division II Cross Country Championships, return five from their NCAA lineup two years ago. Zoe Jarvis finished 28th individually to capture All-America honors to lead the team. Jarvis also finished third at the 2020 SSC Cross Country Championships this past February.

No. 3 Mississippi College, No. 4 Saint Leo and No. 5 Alabama-Huntsville round out the top-5.

South Central Region

Adams State and Colorado School of Mines begin the season at No. 1 and No. 2, respectively.

The Grizzlies, who won the 2019 NCAA Division II Cross Country Championships, will have an entirely new look this year compared to two years ago. Expected to lead a young Adams State team are track All-Americans Brianna Robles and Sarah Wills. Robles finished fifth at the 2021 NCAA Division II Outdoor Track & Field Championships in the 10,000; Wills finished seventh in the steeplechase. The Grizzlies also add several top newcomers – Wingate transfer and two-time All-American Franziska Althaus and Precious Robinson, the 2021 NJCAA runner-up in the 5000 and 10,000.

The Orediggers, who finished third at the 2019 NCAA Division II Cross Country Championships, will have three athletes back from its NCAA qualifying team two years ago. Zoe Baker is the team’s top returner after notching All-America honors with a 19th place finish. Baker also added three All-America of honors to her resume during the 2021 indoor and outdoor track season.

No. 3 Western Colorado, No. 4 UC-Colorado Springs and No. 5 Dallas Baptist round out the top-5.

Southeast Region

Queens (N.C.) and Wingate begin the season at No. 1 and No. 2, respectively.

The Royals, who finished 21st at the 2019 NCAA Division II Cross Country Championships, only return two athletes from its lineup two years ago in Maddie Webster and Stevie Lawrence. Queens (N.C.) is looking to keep the momentum from the 2021 track & field season going, which saw Lawrence finish 6th in the steeplechase at the 2021 NCAA Division II Outdoor Track & Field Championships. Be sure to watch for Fatima Alanis, who finished third in the 10,000 this past May as a freshman.

The Bulldogs, who finished 31st at the 2019 NCAA Division II Cross Country Championships, could bring back the majority of its team from that lineup two years ago. Wingate also finished second that same year at the SAC Cross country Championships before finishing third at the regional championships to punch their ticket to the national meet.

No. 3 Anderson (S.C.), No. 4 Flagler and No. 5 Augusta round out the top-5.

West Region

Cal State Stanislaus and Simon Fraser begin the season at No. 1 and No. 2, respectively.

The Warriors did not qualify a team for the 2019 NCAA Division II Cross Country Championships, but were represented by Nancy Juarez, who finished 67th individually. The Warriors redshirted their team in 2019 and will look forward to those athletes returning to the grass circuit, along with Cal State East Bay transfer Angelia Ronquillo, an All-American in 2019 after recording a 30th place finish.

Simon Fraser did not qualify a team for the 2019 NCAA Division II Cross Country Championships; however, had one individual qualify for the meet. Olivia Willett was the lone athlete for SFU and finished 94th overall. Although Simon Fraser was unable to compete due to the closer of the U.S.-Canada border, they were still able to put solid time trials together on the track and could return a good portion of their roster.

No. 3 Chico State, No. 4 Academy of Art and No. 5 Seattle Pacific round out the top-5.