2023 NCAA DII Women’s Cross Country Regional Rankings – Week 3

NEW ORLEANS – They’re truly off and running in 2023.

Here is the week three edition of the NCAA DII Women’s Cross Country Regional Rankings for the 2023 season, as released on Tuesday by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA).

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 are set for Saturday, November 4.

Atlantic Region

Projected AQs: No. 1 Charleston (W.Va.), No. 2 Davis and Elkins, No. 3 Slippery Rock

Next in Line: No. 4 Bloomsburg

Also in the Hunt: No. 5 Edinboro

Note: Davis and Elkins edged out Lock Haven to grab the No. 2 spot after just barely taking down No. 3 Slippery Rock. A single point separated the Atlantic Region rivals, whose struggle seems to only be heating up. Spurred by a duo of freshmen, Bloomsburg posted a solid performance at the LHU Open, going 6th overall and confirming a hike up the polls. 

Central Region

Projected AQs: No. 1 Winona State, No. 2 Augustana (S.D.), No. 3 Pittsburg State

Next in Line: No. 4 U-Mary

Also in the Hunt: No. 5 Missouri Southern

Note: Talk about a surprise! No. 4 U-Mary shocked the Central Region, and perhaps all of Division II on Saturday with a second place finish at the Roy Griak Invitational. The Marauders conquered Wayne State (Mich.), Minnesota State, Sioux Falls, and Minnesota-Duluth, all of whom were slated to clinch higher places. 

East Region

Projected AQs: No. 1 Roberts Wesleyan, No. 2 Southern Connecticut, No. 3 Southern New Hampshire

Next in Line: No. 4 Adelphi

Also in the Hunt: No. 5 Saint Michael’s

Note: No changes in the top five this week. 

Midwest Region

Projected AQs: No. 1 Grand Valley State, No. 2 Cedarville, No. 3 Lewis

Next in Line: No. 4 Wayne State (Mich.)

Also in the Hunt: No. 5 Saginaw Valley State

Note: No. 4 Lewis and No. 5 Wayne State (Mich.) swapped positions following a slightly uneventful excursion where the Flyers’ depth proved to be the deciding factor.

South Region

Projected AQs: No. 1 Lee (Tenn.), No. 2 Tampa, No. 3 Mississippi College

Next in Line: No. 4 Florida Southern

Also in the Hunt: No. 5 Palm Beach Atlantic

Note: No changes in the top five this week.

South Central Region

Projected AQs: No. 1 Adams State, No. 2 Colo. School of Mines, No. 3 UC-Colorado Springs

Next in Line: No. 4 Western Colorado

Also in the Hunt: No. 5 CSU-Pueblo

Note: No changes in the top five this week.  

Southeast Region

Projected AQs: No. 1 Wingate, No. 2 Catawba, No. 3 Anderson (S.C.)

Next in Line: No. 4 Flagler

Also in the Hunt: No. 5 Lincoln Memorial

Note: No changes in the top five this week.

West Region

Projected AQs: No. 1 Stanislaus, No. 2 Chico State, No. 3 Biola (Calif.)

Next in Line: No. 4 Azusa Pacific

Also in the Hunt: No. 5 Western Washington

Note: No changes in the top five this week.