Men’s XC Ranked 1st, Women 7th
NEW ORLEANS – The University of Colorado cross country teams remain highly ranked in this week’s USTFCCCA Coaches Poll. CU’s men are still the top-ranked team in the country, while the women’s squad moved up to seventh place.
For the fifth straight poll, the CU men have recorded all 12 first-place votes for 360 points. There is a new No. 2 team this week as Oregon moved ahead of Northern Arizona. UO recorded 341 points to move up from third to second. NAU picked up 334 points, falling from second to third. Oklahoma State remained fourth overall with 327 points and Portland is fifth with 290 points.
The CU women’s team moved up to seventh this week with 280 points, marking the third time in five polls that the Buffs have held the seventh position. The Michigan women, just like CU’s men, have been the top women’s team in all five polls this season with 355 points. Michigan State is second overall (347 points) and Oregon is third with 331 points. Michigan recorded eight of the 12 first-place votes, while MSU notched three first-place votes. UO picked up the final first-place vote on the women’s side.
CU’s men dominated the Rocky Mountain Shootout on October 4, winning with a perfect score of 15 points. Senior Blake Theroux led the stampede of Buffs, crossing the finish in 24:23.1. The Buffs had seven harriers finish in less than 25 minutes, which is quite impressive on the difficult course.
The women, like the CU men, also had a great showing at the Rocky Mountain Shootout. Sophomore Erin Clark won the race in 20:19.6, winning by over 22 seconds. The team placed first with a score of 16 points.
Both of CU’s teams are the top ranked team in the Mountain region rankings. The men are in front of No. 2 NAU, while the women are in front of No. 11 New Mexico.
The Buffs will be back in action on Saturday, October 18. The varsity will head to the NCAA Pre-National meet in Terre Haute, Ind., while other members of the team will compete at the Santa Clara Bronco Invitational in Sunnyvale, Calif.