Women's Team Climbs the National Ranks

Oct. 20, 2009

IOWA CITY, IA – In the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) week four poll, released early this week, the University of Iowa women’s cross country team finds itself ranked 23rd nationally, their highest ranking this season. They jumped six spots from week three, having previously been ranked 29th two weeks in a row.

The team is coming off a strong performance at this past weekend’s Pre Nationals meet at Indiana State University in Terre Haute, IN. The women’s squad placed eighth in the Blue 6,000-meter race out of a field of 37 teams. Junior Brooke Eilers led the Hawks for the second time this season, placing 29th with a season-best time of 21:33.4.

“After a solid showing at the Pre NCAA meet we are excited to once again move up the national rankings,” said Women’s Head Coach Layne Anderson. “The Championship portion of our schedule is officially here and we will need to get better in the weeks ahead to finish up what has been a promising season to date.”

The men’s squad failed to receive national votes after placing 34th nationally in week two and three. The regional standings remained the same for both teams, with the women placing fourth and then men placing seventh in the Midwest region.

Iowa’s next meet is the Big Ten Championships on Sunday, Nov 1. This year’s championships are hosted by Penn State University at University Park, PA. Events are slated to begin at approximately 11 a.m. CT.

Women’s Midwest Region Week Four Rankings
*National Ranking in Parentheses*

1. Illinois (13)
2. Minnesota (15)
3. Iowa State (19)
4. Iowa (23)
5. Nebraska (34)
6. Kansas State
7. Missouri
8. Wichita State
9. Kansas
10. Oklahoma State
11. Bradley
12. Illinois State
13. Missouri State
14. Tulsa
15. Southern Illinois

Men’s Midwest Region Week Four Rankings
*National Ranking in Parentheses*

1. Oklahoma State (3)
2. Oklahoma (20)
3. Iowa State (23)
4. Tulsa (29)
5. Minnesota (31)
6. Southern Illinois
7. Iowa
8. Kansas
9. Illinois
10. Nebraska
11. Missouri
12. Illinois State
13. South Dakota State
14. North Dakota State
15. Loyola Chicago