2021 NCAA DII Men’s Cross Country National Coaches’ Poll – Week 1
NEW ORLEANS – A lot has already changed since the preseason installment of the 2021 NCAA Division II Men’s Cross Country National Coaches’ Poll.
The Week 1 edition, released by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) on Wednesday, features 26 programs finding a new place among the top-30, including a new No. 1!
NCAA Division II — Men's Cross Country
This Week's National Top Five
1
Colo. School of Mines
Colo. School of Mines
2
Grand Valley State
Grand Valley State
3
Adams State
Adams State
4
Chico State
Chico State
5
Lee (Tenn.)
Lee (Tenn.)
Cross Country Polls & Rankings
Colorado School of Mines gained a spot to become your new No. 1 and bumped Grand Valley State down to No. 2. While the Orediggers haven’t competed as a full team yet, one of their athletes – Dillon Powell – won the individual title at the Wyoming Invite that featured NCAA Division I Colorado and Colorado State. The Lakers showed off their depth and took home the win at the Calvin Knight Invite to open up the season.
No. 3 Adams State and No. 4 Chico State remained steady after the preseason release. The Grizzlies posted a perfect score en route to winning the Joe I. Vigil Open. The Wildcats earned a convincing win at the San Francisco State Invitational and placed seven runners in the top-11.
Lee (Tenn.) jumped five spots to No. 5 for the program’s best placement in the National Coaches’ Poll. The Flames opened up the season with an impressive team victory at the City Auto Memphis Twilight Classic, beating former No. 8 Alabama-Huntsville (now No. 11) and several NCAA Division I programs. Lee (Tenn.) had four runners cross in the top-9, including individual winner Christian Noble.
Joining the top-10 for the first time this season is No. 10 Colorado Christian, also a program best. The Cougars improved their billing by two spots after topping the field at the JK Gold Classic, including NCAA Division I Wichita State, and swept the top-4 scoring positions.
Three programs also received their best ranking in the National Coaches’ Poll to date: No. 13 Wingate (up four from No. 17); No. 14 Cal State Stanislaus (up two from No. 16); No. 28 Mississippi College (up one from No. 29). Those three combined to win four of five meets to begin the season.
After the first two weeks of competition, several teams are making their first appearance of the year in the top-30: No. 19 Simon Fraser (previously NR); No. 22 Biola (Calif.) (previously RV) and No. 27 Michigan Tech (previously NR). The Eagles edged out now No. 25 Cal State San Marcos, 45-46, at the Biola Invitational.
Mark your calendars – the 2021 NCAA Division II Cross Country Championships are set for Saturday, November 20 at Abbey Golf Course in Tampa, Florida.
