Washington University Men’s and Women’s Cross Country Teams Ranked Fourth in USTFCCCA Preseason Poll

St. Louis, Mo., Aug. 22, 2012 – The Washington University in St. Louis men’s and women’s cross country teams were each ranked No. 4 in their respective NCAA Division III Preseason National Coaches’ Polls released Wednesday by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA).

The Washington U. women, who won their first National Championship in school history in 2011, received one first-place vote and 251 points to also rank fourth in their poll. Middlebury College (279) was ranked No. 1 in the women’s poll, followed by Williams College (267) and SUNY Geneseo (253). Washington University was also selected No. 1 in the USTFCCCA Midwest Region preseason rankings.

The WUSTL men picked up 246 points in the poll to land in fourth behind defending National Champion North Central College (280), Haverford College (268) and SUNY Geneseo (247). The Bears, who finished third at the 2011 NCAA Division III National Championships, were ranked third in the USTFCCCA Midwest Region preseason rankings, behind North Central and Wheaton College.

Four other University Athletic Association (UAA) women’s cross country teams were ranked in the preseason poll. University of Chicago (21st), Emory University (23rd), Case Western Reserve University (27th) and New York University (T34th) each earned spots in the women’s national poll. On the men’s side, New York (12th) and University of Rochester (25th) were ranked, while Chicago, Carnegie Mellon University and Case Western Reserve were among the teams receiving votes.

The Washington University men’s and women’s cross country teams begin their seasons with a pair of home meets at Forest Park. The Bears will square off in a dual against Greenville College on Friday, Aug. 31, before hosting the WUSTL Early Bird on Saturday, Sept. 1.