2021 NCAA DII Women’s Cross Country National Coaches’ Poll – Week 3
NEW ORLEANS – A calmer weekend still provided opportunities for teams to climb up the rankings.
A total of fourteen teams moved up or down the leaderboard in the Week 3 edition of the 2021 NCAA Division II Women’s Cross Country National Coaches’ Poll that was released Wednesday by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA).
NCAA Division II — Women's Cross Country
This Week's National Top Five
1
Grand Valley State
Grand Valley State
2
Colo. School of Mines
Colo. School of Mines
3
Adams State
Adams State
4
Augustana (S.D.)
Augustana (S.D.)
5
Lee (Tenn.)
Lee (Tenn.)
Cross Country Polls & Rankings
Nothing changed among the top-5 as Grand Valley State remained the unanimous No. 1, followed by No. 2 Colorado School of Mines, No. 3 Adams State, No. 4 Augustana (S.D.) and No. 5 Lee (Tenn.). All five teams were idle this past weekend as the majority gear up for big races this weekend, including a matchup between the Orediggers and Vikings at the Chile Pepper Festival.
Southwest Baptist and UC-Colorado Springs continue to climb up the leaderboard and now sit at No. 6 and No. 7, respectively. The Bearcats improved one spot to equal the program’s best billing (they were ranked No. 6 in Week 7 of the 2015 season). The Mountain Lions jumped two spots and matched their best ranking in the past 15 years. Both teams will be competing in loaded fields this weekend: Southwest Baptist will be at the Chile Pepper Festival; UC-Colorado Springs will travel to Kentucky for Live in Lou.
Popping back into the top-10 for the second time this season thanks to a two spot improvement is No. 9 Simon Fraser. SFU topped the field at the Mike Johnson Classic this past weekend by 48 points and placed five runners in the top-12, including four in the top-8.
Two South Atlantic Conference teams are making history in their own way. Queens (N.C.) moved up one spot from No. 12 to No. 11, matching the program’s second-best ranking. The Royals opened the 2021 campaign with a third place finish at the Queen City Invite. Wingate continues to reach new heights and set program records in the National Coaches’ Poll, moving up one spot from No. 17 to No. 16. This is the third time this season the Bulldogs achieved their highest ranking.
Three teams jumped multiple spots further down the leaderboard: Minnesota Duluth from No. 22 to No. 19; Cal State San Marcos from No. 24 to No. 20; Western Colorado from No. 29 to No. 27. The Bulldogs captured runner-up honors at the Roy Griak Invitational, just five points short of meet winner and No. 8 U-Mary. The Cougars finished third at the Cougar Challenge behind No. 13 Chico State and former No. 6 (now No. 11) Cal State Stanislaus.
Three teams jumped from the Land of Receiving Votes: No. 22 Minnesota State, No. 29 Hillsdale and No. 30 Drury. The Mavericks are making their first appearance in the National Coaches’ Poll since 2012. They earned the nod after finishing third at the Roy Griak Invitational.
Mark your calendars for Saturday, November 20, as the 2021 NCAA Division II Cross Country Championships will take place at Abbey Golf Course in Tampa, Florida.
