Men’s Cross Country Ranked 12th in Season’s First Poll

Tribe is Second in the Southeast Region

09/11/07 7:20PM

NEW ORLEANS, LA - Head men’s cross country Alex Gibby thinks his squad has what it takes to equal or better last year’s eighth-place finish at the NCAA Championships, and the nation’s coaching association seems to agree, ranking William and Mary 12th in the initial USTFCCCA national poll.

Perennial power Wisconsin leads the preseason poll as one of four teams receiving first-place votes, a group that includes defending champion Colorado, last year’s third-place team Iona, and the Oregon Ducks.

In the regional rankings, William and Mary stands second behind long-time foe North Carolina State (10th nationally). Louisville, Liberty, and Virginia round out the top five in the Southeast Region, with Louisville (15th) and Virginia (T-28th) also appearing the national top-30.

The United States Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association sponsors regional and national powers in all three sports and across all three NCAA Divisions. The Division I national polls are voted on by nine regional representatives and four at-large members of the USTFCCCA, while the regional rankings are voted on by coaches in those regions. New rankings are released every two to three weeks leading up to the NCAA Championships.