Wayne State University Athletics

Both cross country teams appeared in the top 10 of their respective regional polls.

Men's Cross Country 8/30/2023 4:00:00 PM Matthew Jurek, Sports Information Graduate Assistant

Cross Country Teams Well Represented in USTFCCCA Preseason Regional/National Rankings

The women were ranked eighth nationally, while the men received votes.

DETROIT -- In preparation for the start of the 2023 cross country season, the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) released its preseason regional and national rankings over the past two days. The Wayne State University men's and women's cross country squads were represented well, with the women's team ranking second regionally and eighth nationally, while the men's squad checked in eighth regionally and received votes nationally.

According to the 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. National rankings are conducted by counting votes from eight member coaches – one from each of the division's eight regions – who also do the regional rankings.

Women's
Regional Rankings
The WSU women's team placed second in the Midwest Region, an upgrade over the third-place ranking the squad received at the end of last season. The Green and Gold had strong overall performances in postseason meets in 2022 to garner even greater recognition heading into the new season. The Warriors finished second at the GLIAC Championships, third at the NCAA Midwest Regional (out of 31 teams), and ninth (out of 34) at the NCAA Division II Championships in Seattle.

Receiving the top spot in the region was Grand Valley State, the same position they ended the season in a year ago. The Lakers were also the team ahead of the Warriors in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) preseason poll released earlier this week.

Rounding out the final eight spots (3 through 10) in the Midwest Region were Cedarville, Saginaw Valley State, Lewis, Southwest Baptist, Hillsdale, Michigan Tech, Ferris State, and Drury. The GLIAC led the three conferences making up the region with five of the 10 squads. The Great Lakes Valley Conference (GLVC) had three teams, while the Great Midwest Athletic Conference (GMAC) appeared with two schools.

National Rankings
Wayne State notched 175 points in the poll, enough for eighth position in the national rankings prior to the first week of the season. They finished last season ninth in the country. The top 10 (with points received in parentheses) include Adams State (240 with all eight first-place votes), Grand Valley State (232), Colorado School of Mines (224), UC-Colorado Springs (214), Winona State (203), Augustana (S.D.) (200), Western Colorado (192), Wayne State (175), Colorado Christian (166), and Stanislaus State (166).

Saginaw Valley State joined GVSU and WSU as the three GLIAC schools to appear in the rankings. They were No. 21 with 90 points.

Men's
Regional Rankings
On the men's side, the Warriors checked in at No. 8 in the Midwest Region. This marks an improvement over last season when the Green and Gold were outside the top 10 to close out 2022 (they were No. 11). WSU will look to make even more noise and climb the rankings as the season progresses.

Same as the women's rankings, the Grand Valley State men's squad earned the top spot in the region. The full list includes: GVSU, Saginaw Valley State, Illinois-Springfield, Michigan Tech, Lewis, Cedarville, Walsh, Wayne State, Northwood, and Findlay. The GLIAC and GMAC each were represented with four schools, while the GLVC had two programs.

Six schools (GVSU, SVSU, MTU, WSU, Lewis, and Cedarville) retained positions in the top 10 in both the men's and women's regional rankings.

National Rankings
WSU's men received two points to clock in as one of five teams listed as receiving votes. Colorado School of Mines is the No. 1-ranked team heading into week one on the men's side, with 240 points and all eight first-place votes. The other top 10 schools in order are Adams State (227), Wingate (224), Grand Valley State (218), Chico State (199), Colorado Christian (197), Augustana (S.D.) (187), Lee (Tenn.) (185), West Texas A&M (179), and Western Washington (176).

The Green and Gold will open the season in Goodells, Mich., at the Skippers Cross Country Showcase. The meet is set for Sept. 1, with the women racing at 4 p.m. and the men taking off at 4:45 p.m.

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