NAMPA - Each ranked in the top-10 in the USTFCCCA West Region Polls, the Northwest Nazarene University cross country teams will begin their respective seasons this week at the University of Alaska Fairbanks Invitational.
The women's team begins the season ranked fifth in the West Region poll, while the men's team is ranked seventh.
The fifth place ranking is the highest pre-season ranking for the NNU women's team and matches the ranking achieved at the end of 2007 season when the squad finished fifth at the NCAA Division II West Region Championships.
Placed in order by a representative in each region, regional rankings are a reflection of a team's strengths entering the year based on returning and new runners on each squad.
"I would like to recognize Ben (Gall), Jake (Perry) and Ashley (Puga) for all the work and effort over the past eight years to get our program to this point," commented NNU head coach John Spatz. "Both in rankings and in actual finishing places in conference and regional competition the teams have come a very long way."
Link to USTFCCCA rankings page:
