Michigan Ranked No. 2 in the USTFCCCA Poll
9/11/2007 12:00:00 AM | Women's Cross Country
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- After placing 12 runners in the top 17 at the Indiana Invitational this past weekend (Sept. 8), the University of Michigan womens cross country team was rewarded by being ranked No. 2 in the U.S. Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association poll, announced Tuesday (Sept. 11).
The Wolverines return 12 letterwinners from last year's roster that finished third at the 2006 NCAA Championships, including first team All-Big Ten runners senior Alyson Kohlmeier (Sarnia, Ontario/St. Patrick's) and fifth-year senior Erin Webster (Dearborn, Mich./Divine Child), and second team All-Big Ten runner senior/junior Nicole Edwards (Winnipeg, Manitoba/Vincent Massey). Edwards is back for her junior season after she took 12th at last years NCAA Championships.
Michigan, which was ranked No. 1 in the preseason regional rankings on Monday (Sept. 10), will compete in one of the top conferences nationally, as six Big Ten teams are ranked in the top 15. Last season, the same six teams placed in the top 17 at the NCAA Championships -- the most of any conference.
"I think that the depth and quality of the conference is better than it was last year," said head coach Mike McGuire. "All six of the teams that finished in the top 17 last year are returning a solid nucleus and were aware that there are some other very good teams in the conference that have a chance at reaching nationals as well."
USTFCCCA Division I Womens Cross Country rankings (9/11/07)
Rank, Team (first-place votes) Points 1. Stanford (9) 384 2. MICHIGAN 368 3. Colorado (4) 366 4. Arkansas 344 5. Wisconsin 340 6. Illinois 308 7. Arizona State 294 8. Minnesota 292 9. Providence 290 10. Michigan State 249 11. Virginia 233 12. Florida State 226 13. Iowa 176 14. Delaware 292 15. North Carolina State 175 16. Princeton 161 17. Duke 160 18. Colorado State 151 19. Washington 145 20. Virginia Tech 143 21. Georgetown 138 22. Baylor 135 23. Brigham Young 123 24. Oregon 111 25. Texas Tech 97
The Wolverines next meet is set for Friday (Sept. 28) at the Notre Dame Invitational in South Bend, Ind. Action begins at 4:15 p.m.
Contact: Jeremiah W. Hergott (734) 763-4423
Players Mentioned
