2022 NCAA DI Women’s Cross Country Regional Rankings – Preseason

NEW ORLEANS – Cross country is back!

Here is the preseason edition of the NCAA Division I Women’s Cross Country Regional Rankings for the 2022 season, as released on Tuesday by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA). The 2022 season begins on Thursday, September 1.

Regional Rankings are determined subjectively by a single member coach in each respective region. The regional representative is tasked with weighing returning teams’ strength with current season results (if applicable) in determining a rank-order of squad potential. Only USTFCCCA member programs are eligible to receive a ranking. Teams with provisional status within the region may be ranked.

Regional Championships Friday is set for Friday, November 11.

Great Lakes Region

Notre Dame and Michigan are projected to earn the region’s automatic bids. The defending regional champion Fighting Irish return four of their top-5 runners in addition to a strong group of newcomers. The Wolverines, who finished third last year, bring back their top-4 women and welcome several impact athletes.

Wisconsin, Michigan State and Ohio state round out the top-5.

Mid-Atlantic Region

Georgetown and West Virginia are projected to earn the region’s automatic bids for the second straight year. The defending regional champion Hoyas will return four of their top-7 athletes, including two top-3 finishers in Sami Corman (second) and Maggie Donahue (third). The Mountaineers, who finished second last year, also bring back a strong group of athletes led by individual regional champion Ceili McCabe.

Penn State, Villanova and Princeton round out the top-5.

Midwest Region

Oklahoma State and Illinois are projected to earn the region’s automatic bids. The Cowgirls, who finished runner-up at last year’s regional meet, bring back a strong core of their runners from a year ago, including three top-8 finishers: Taylor Roe (second), Molly Born (seventh) and Gabby Hentemann (eighth). The Fighting Illini, who finished fifth a year ago, bring back five of their top-7 athletes.

Iowa State, Northwestern and Minnesota round out the top-5.

Mountain Region

New Mexico and Colorado are projected to earn the region’s automatic bids for a second consecutive year. The defending regional champion Lobos likely return six of their top-7 athletes from last year’s squad. The Buffaloes, who finished runner-up to the Lobos, will be led by Emily Covert and joined by several newcomers that could have an impact this season.

BYU, Colorado State and Utah round out the top-5.

Northeast Region

Providence and Harvard are projected to earn the region’s automatic bids. The Friars, who finished third at the regional championships, return most of their top-7 athletes, including two top-10 regional performers in Laura Mooney (seventh) and Shannon Flockhart (tenth). The defending regional champion Crimson bring back four of their top-6 runners, with three of them earning All-Region.

Syracuse, Connecticut and Dartmouth round out the top-5.

South Region

Ole Miss and Alabama are projected to earn the region’s automatic bids. The defending regional champion Rebels likely return several athletes from last year’s team, with the addition of several newcomers who could step up. The Crimson Tide will be led by regional champion Mercy Chelangat and Flomena Asekol, among other returners and incoming athletes.

Florida State, Tennessee and Florida round out the top-5.

South Central Region

Arkansas and Rice are projected to earn the region’s automatic bids. The defending regional champion Razorbacks return a talented group of athletes, led by Isabel Van Camp and Gracie Hyde who finished in the top-10. The Owls welcome back a strong core of last year’s lineup, led by defending champion Grace Forbes.

Texas, Texas A&M and Tulane round out the top-5.

Southeast Region

NC State and UNC are projected to earn the region’s automatic bids. The defending regional and national champion Wolfpack return their top athletes from last year’s squad, paced by defending champion Kelsey Chmiel and runner-up Katelyn Touhy. The Tarheels also bring back a solid core of last year’s group, only losing one from its NCAA team.

Furman, Kentucky and Liberty round out the top-5.

West Region

Stanford and Washington are projected to earn the region’s automatic bids. The defending regional champion Cardinal will have a younger squad in 2022, led by two regional top-10 finishers in Zofia Dudek (seventh) and Lucy Jenks (eighth). The Huskies, who finished second a year ago, will also have depth between their returner and newcomers.

Oregon, Gonzaga and Oregon State round out the top-5.