October 3, 2007

Women's Cross Country Ranked 12th Nationally

As Usual, RMAC Has Top Two Spots

     Kearney, Neb. – After back-to-back second place finishes, the Nebraska-Kearney women's cross country team is now ranked 12^th nationally in NCAA Division II.

      The  poll was released today by the USTFCCCA (U.S. Track & Field/Cross Country Coaches Association).

      This is believed to be the first time a UNK women's squad has ever been nationally-ranked at the NCAA Division II level.

      Competing in arguably the toughest region -- the North Central -- in the country, the Lopers are one of three RMAC teams in the poll, following Adams State (No. 1) and Western State (No. 2).

      Adams, two-time defending national champions, placed second last Saturday at the Stanford Invite. The only team to beat the Grizzlies (78 points) was the host Cardinal (27), who has won the Division I title the past two years.

      Besides the RMAC schools, others from the region ranked this week include Augustana (No. 5), North Dakota (No. 14) and Minnesota State-Moorhead (No. 25).

      UNK, who runs at the Fort Hays State Tiger Open this Saturday, has made steady improvement the past few years.

      The top five includes fourth year seniors Michelle Dill (Imperial) and Anne McGovern (Grand Island), second year senior Jacquelyn Dibbern (York), junior Faith Maschmann (Deshler) and second year junior Kaci Lickteig (Dannebrog).

      The complete poll can be found at www.ustfccca.org.