2024 NCAA DII Women’s Cross Country Regional Rankings – Week 1

NEW ORLEANS  –  Week 1 did not disappoint! 

Here is the Week 1 edition of the NCAA DII Women’s Cross Country Regional Rankings for the 2024 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 Saturday is set for November 9.

Atlantic Region

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

Next in Line: No. 4 Shippensburg

Also in the Hunt: No. 5 Kutztown

Notes: No. 4 Shippensburg and No. 5 Kutztown wasted no time in reigniting their conference rivalry, facing off at the 2024 PSAC course on week one. The Raiders squeaked out a win over the Bears 36-38 despite a 17 second spread from their adversaries. Without Shippensburg’s full roster in action however, the divide that separates the two becomes a little less clear. Both squads rose one in the rankings.  

Central Region

Projected AQ: No. 1 Augustana (S.D.), No. 2 U-Mary, No. 3 Pittsburg State

Next in Line: No. 4 Nebraska Kearney

Also in the Hunt: No. 5 Winona State

Notes: Talk about a shake-up. Augusta (S.D.) watched from above as all four positions saw new names in the Central Region. No. 2 U-Mary and No. 3 Pittsburg State flip-flopped despite remaining in auto-qualifier seats while Nebraska-Kearney surged from No. 7 to No. 4. The Roy Griak Invitational will be one to watch this weekend as the Vikings, Marauders, and No. 5 Winona State Warriors are all set to clash. 

East Region

Projected AQ: No. 1 Southern Connecticut, No. 2 Daemen, No. 3 Saint Anslem

Next in Line: No. 4 Jefferson

Also in the Hunt: No. 5 Bentley

Notes: Saint Anslem took a train to the top, going from No. 8 to No. 3 in the blink of an eye. The Hawks took down Saint Michael’s in a clean 23-38 display as Junior Anyelina Martinez led the pack in 23:40.4. No. 4 Jefferson and No. 5 Bentley caught a ride on the same line, hopping up three and four slots on their own. 

Midwest Region

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

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

Also in the Hunt: No. 5 Walsh

Notes: There were no changes in the top-5 in Week 1.

South Region

Projected AQ: No. 1 Lee (Tenn.), No. 2 Florida Southern, No. 3 Nova Southeastern

Next in Line: No. 4 Tampa

Also in the Hunt: No. 5 West Florida

Notes: No. 2 Florida Southern bet on the Southern Showcase and it hit. Although the Mocs tallied a 17th place finish, they only fell to Lee (Tenn.) from a Division II standpoint and even defeated their fare share of Division I talent. No. 3 Nova Southeastern and No. 5 Western Florida saw increases in stock as well, moving up three and four places respectfully. 

South Central Region

Projected AQ: No. 1 Adams State, No. 2 Western Colorado, No. 3 CSU Pueblo

Next in Line: No. 4 UC-Colorado Springs

Also in the Hunt: No. 5 Colo. School of Mines

Notes: There were no changes in the top-5 in Week 1.

Southeast Region

Projected AQ: No. 1 Wingate, No. 2 Catawba, No. 3 Flagler

Next in Line: No. 4 Anderson (S.C.)

Also in the Hunt: No. 5 Lenoir-Rhyne

Notes: No. 4 Anderson (S.C.) took a chance at the Southern Showcase and it paid off. In a field of 64 teams, the Trojans landed 19th and found plenty of positives to take away. A pair of freshmen locking down the 4/5 signals there’s still a lot of room for growth. 

West Region

Projected AQ: No. 1 Western Washington, No. 2 Chico State, No. 3 Biola

Next in Line: No. 4 Alaska Fairbanks

Also in the Hunt: No. 5 Cal State Stanislaus

Notes: No. 5 Cal State Stanislaus snuck into the rankings after a performance at the Kim Duyst Twilight Invitational resulted in a 21:50 6k average. The only team the Warriors fell to on their home course is perched comfortably at the No. 2 position, Chico State.