2022 NJCAA DI Women’s Cross Country National Coaches’ Poll – Week 1
NEW ORLEANS – The College of Southern Idaho finds itself in familiar territory, opening the year as No. 1 in the NJCAA Division I Women’s Cross Country National Coaches’ Poll as released on Wednesday by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA).
NJCAA Division I — Women's Cross Country
This Week's National Top Five
1
Southern Idaho
Southern Idaho
2
Hutchinson (Kan.) CC
Hutchinson (Kan.) CC
3
El Paso (Texas) CC
El Paso (Texas) CC
4
New Mexico JC
New Mexico JC
5
Iowa Central CC
Iowa Central CC
Cross Country Polls & Rankings
It’s no surprise that the Golden Eagles are on top, as CSI is the defending champion for the NJCAA Division I Cross Country Championships. This year’s edition is set for Saturday, November 12, at Apalachee Regional Park in Tallahassee, Florida.
CSI’s closest pursuer is a bit of an eye-opener, as Hutchinson (Kan.) CC is No. 2, just two points behind. The Blue Dragons – 12th in last year’s nationals – earned their best-ever ranking and received two of the seven first-place votes (CSI earned the other five). Hutchinson’s previous best showing in the rankings was No. 5 in 2020.
Both programs have been impressive out of the gates this year. After having its first two meets canceled, CSI was the top JUCO squad at the Eastern Oregon Invitational this past weekend, trailing only NAIA power College of Idaho, 27 to 30. Hutchinson was the leading JUCO team at the Terry Masterson Twilight Classic and last weekend’s Greeno/Dirksen Invitational.
Following in Nos. 3 and 4 are two programs familiar with each other – rivals El Paso (Texas) CC and New Mexico JC finished in that order at last year’s nationals. El Paso is led by reigning national champion Faith Nyathi.
Another familiar program is at No. 5 in Iowa Central CC – the Tritons have been ranked No. 1 at least once in each of the last five seasons.
Rounding out the top-10: No. 6 Salt Lake (Utah) CC, No. 7 Central Arizona, No. 8 Iowa Western CC, No. 9 Cloud County (Kan.) CC and No. 10 Butler (Kan.) CC. Iowa Western returns Mercy Biwott, last year’s runner-up, while Cloud County was runner-up the last two years.
