October 2, 2007

Women's Cross Country Moves Up Again

National Poll Next

     Kearney, Neb. –  The Nebraska-Kearney women's cross country team is now ranked fourth in the latest North Central Region rankings.

        The U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) released the regional polls today.  In NCAA Division II, eight regions are ranked as determined by eight regional representatives selected by the coaches in those regions. 

        The new national rankings will come out next Wednesday (Oct. 10).

      UNK began the year ranked ninth but has risen five spots thanks to strong performances at the Woody Greeno/Nebraska Invitational (Sept. 8) and at the Roy Griak Invitational (Sept. 29).

      This past Saturday in Minneapolis, the Lopers scored 145 points to finish second, well ahead of 14^th-ranked North Dakota (193) and 17^th-ranked Minnesota-Duluth (230). Those two schools were also ranked ahead of UNK in last week's region rakings.

      Now, the only teams ahead of the Lopers in the region are three of the nation's top five; Adams State (No. 1), Western State (No. 2) and Augustana (No. 5).

      UNK will see Adams this Saturday at the Fort Hays State Tiger Open in Kansas.

      The Loper top five includes seniors Jacquelyn Dibbern (York), Michelle Dill (Imperial) and Anne McGovern (Grand Island) and juniors Kaci Lickteig (Dannebrog) and Faith Maschmann (Deshler).

      Dibbern began her career at Concordia while Lickteig joined the team as a walk on last season and promptly became the first UNK woman to qualify for the NCAA Championships.

      After Hays, UNK will gave the RMAC Championships (Oct. 20) and North Central Region Championships (Nov. 3). A top five finish at the regional meet could punch the Lopers ticket to the NCAA's (Nov. 17).

      The complete rankings are below or go to www.ustfccca.org to see a complete list of all the regions.

North Central Regional Women (10/2)

1.         Adams State (1st nationally; as of 9/25)

2.         Western State (2nd nationally; as of 9/25)

3.         Augustana (5th nationally; as of 9/25)                           

4.         Nebraska-Kearney                  

5.        North Dakota (14th nationally; as of 9/25)  

6.         Minnesota State-Moorhead  

7.         Minnesota-Duluth (17th nationally; as of 9/25)  

8.         Minnesota State-Mankato

9.         Mesa State     

10.       Fort Lewis