Badgers near top of preseason rankings
September 15, 2009 | Men's Cross Country
The first U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) Division I Cross Country National Rankings were released Tuesday, and the Wisconsin Badgers found themselves near the top of the charts on both the men's and women's rankings.
The UW men's program finished fourth at the NCAA Championship last year, while the women's team finished 21st at the NCAA meet.
Complete USTFCCCA men's rankings
Complete USTFCCCA women's rankings
The Wisconsin men, who return four of their top seven runners from 2008, are ranked number four in the country, receiving 312 votes. They are the only Big Ten School in the top 16, and they trail only Oregon (first), Oklahoma State (second) and Stanford (third). The Badgers are also ranked No. 1 in the NCAA Great Lakes Region.
In the women's poll, Wisconsin is ranked number 15 nationally, receiving 181 votes. The Badgers bring back four of their top five finishers from the 2008 Big Ten Championship race. Only two Big Ten Schools are ranked better than the Badgers 'Minnesota (eighth) and Illinois (10th). Like the men, the UW women's team holds the top ranking in the NCAA Great Lakes Region.
The Wisconsin men and women will put their prestigious rankings to the test this Saturday, Sept. 19, at the Iona Meet of Champions in the Bronx, N.Y.
