2021 NAIA Men’s Cross Country National Coaches’ Poll – Week 1

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A big weekend of racing shook up the NAIA Men’s Cross Country National Coaches’ Poll, as released on Thursday by the NAIA National Office.

NAIA — Men's Cross Country

This Week's National Top Five

1
Indiana Wesleyan

2
Saint Mary (Kan.)

3
Taylor (Ind.)

4
Embry-Riddle (Ariz.)

5
Lewis-Clark State (Idaho)

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Indiana Wesleyan is the new No. 1 team. The Wildcats, who jumped six spots from No. 7, last competed at the IWU Wildcat Twilight on September 10, where they topped a strong field, which included No. 1 Taylor (Ind.) and No. 2 Huntington (Ind.) and No. 23 Aquinas (Mich.), among others.

Saint Mary (Kan.) comes in at No. 2 this week. The Spires, who climbed two spots from No. 4, dazzled at the Missouri Southern Stampede this past weekend, Saint Mary (Kan.) took third in a field packed with NCAA Division I and NCAA Division II programs, putting two athletes among the top-10 finishers.

Former No. 1 Taylor (Ind.) is now ranked No. 3. The Trojans held off a strong challenge from No. 8 St. Francis (Ill.) at the Ray Bullock Invitational this past weekend. Taylor (Ind.) helped its cause in a big way on the TUXC Farm thanks to sweeping the individual podium, because the Saints overall depth proved stronger (Taylor went 1-2-3-13-17; USF went 5-6-9-10-14).

Embry-Riddle (Ariz.) and Lewis-Clark State (Idaho) round out the top-5 at No. 4 and No. 5, respectively. The Eagles rolled to the team title at the Embry-Riddle (Ariz.) Invitational on September 11 and the Warriors took top team honors at the EUO Invitational this past weekend.

Here are the rest of the top-10 teams in Week 1: No. 6 Milligan (Tenn.), No. 7 Huntington (Ind.), No. 8 St. Francis (Ill.), No. 9 Southern Oregon and No. 10 The Master’s (Calif.).