2024 NCAA DII Women’s Cross Country Regional Rankings – Week 5
NEW ORLEANS – NCAA DII action is ramping up even more with conference championships looming at the end of the month. The Lewis XC Crossover and Alabama Huntsville Chargers Invitational shook up the rankings this week, and there are a few new regional leaders.
This is the Week 5 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 weight returning team’s 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 Championship Saturday is set for Saturday, November 9.
Atlantic Region
Projected AQs: No. 1 Davis & Elkins, No. 2 Slippery Rock, No. 3 Edinboro
Next in Line: No. 4 Shippensburg
In the Hunt: No. 5 East Stroudsburg
There were no changes to the Atlantic Region in Week 5.
Central Region
Projected AQs: No. 1 Pittsburg State, No. 2 Augustana (S.D.), No. 3 U-Mary
Next in Line: No. 4 Nebraska-Kearney
In the Hunt: No. 5 Fort Hays State
No. 1 Pittsburg State made quite a statement this week, shifting into the top spot after winning the UAH Chargers Invitational. The Gorillas scored 62 points and had five runners in the top-20, edging out the West’s No. 1 team Chico State in the process. No. 5 Fort Hays State moves into the top-5 after winning its third consecutive meet, putting up a perfect score at the Emporia State Invitational.
East Region
Projected AQs: No. 1 Roberts Wesleyan, No. 2 Daemen, No. 3 St. Anselm
Next in Line: No. 4 Southern Connecticut State
In the Hunt: No. 5 Bentley
No. 1 Roberts Wesleyan held its top spot this week, but the rest of the top-3 had some shake-ups. No. 3 St. Anselm moved into the top-3 after placing 11th at the New England Intercollegiate Amateaur Athletic Association (NEICAAA) Championships. The Hawks were the top DII finisher and defeated regional foe No. 5 Bentley. No. 2 Daemen took the weekend off, but still shifted up a spot.
Midwest Region
Projected AQs: No. 1 GVSU, No. 2 Lewis, No. 3 Cedarville
Next in Line: No. 4 Wayne State (Mich.)
In the Hunt: No. 5 Walsh
No. 1 GVSU did not field their full varsity squad at the Lewis XC Crossover, but it didn’t matter – the Lakers still finished an impressive third overall in the team standings. GVSU kept its top spot and it will take the next few weeks to prepare for the postseason. No. 3 Cedarville returns to the top 3 after an impressive run at the UAH Chargers Invitational, where the Lady Jackets finished third as a team. Junior Corinne Lynch secured the individual win in 20:39.
South Region
Projected AQs: No. 1 Lee (Tenn.), No. 2 Nova Southeastern, No. 3 Tampa (Fla.)
Next in Line: No. 4 Florida Southern
In the Hunt: No. 5 Alabama-Huntsville
No. 2 Nova Southeastern and No. 3 Tampa (Fla.) swap spots again after the UAH Chargers Invitational. This time, it was Nova Southeastern on top – the Sharks placed fourth as a team, 20 points ahead of fifth place Tampa. Mark your calendars for the Sunshine State Conference Championships on October 25, where these two will duke it out once again for the conference title before the South Region Championships.
South Central Region
Projected AQs: No. 1 Adams State, No. 2 CSU-Pueblo, No. 3 Colorado School of Mines
Next in Line: No. 4 Western Colorado
In the Hunt: No. 5 West Texas
There were no changes to the South Central Region in Week 5. However, it’s worth mentioning No. 3 Colorado School of Mines, who swept the individual and team titles at the Lewis XC Crossover this weekend over a number of DII programs. Jenna Ramsey-Rutledge ran her fastest 6k so far this season to win in 20:38.
Southeast Region
Projected AQs: No. 1 Wingate, No. 2 Catawba, No. 3 Flagler
Next in Line: No. 4 Lincoln Memorial
In the Hunt: No. 5 Anderson
There were no changes to the Southeast Region in Week 5.
West Region
Projected AQs: No. 1 Chico State, No. 2 Alaska Fairbanks, No. 3 Western Washington
Next in Line: No. 4 Biola
In the Hunt: No. 5 Cal Poly Pomona
No. 1 Chico State fell just five points short of the team victory at the UAH Chargers Invitational, but it was still an incredible performance for the Wildcats. The team had sisters Della and Iresh Molina finish second and third respectively, and junior transfer Marbella Flores dropped a 35-second PR to place ninth. Meanwhile, No. 2 Alaska Fairbanks snagged a fifth place team finish at the Lewis XC Crossover. Senior Kendall Kramer finished second overall in 20:54, behind just Mines’ superstar Jenna Ramsey-Rutledge.
