New Orleans, La. - The Roberts Wesleyan women's
cross country team became the first ECC team to ever be listed in
the United States Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches
Associations (USTFCCCA) Division II Top 25 poll on Wednesday
afternoon. After receiving votes in the previous three polls, the
Redhawks enter the Top 25 at No. 17.
Roberts Wesleyan enters the rankings after a strong showing at the
Greater Louisville Classic last weekend. The Redhawks finished 20th
as they competed against top Division I programs and finished ahead
of previously nationally ranked Division II programs in the meet's
Gold Race.
This also marks the first time a Roberts Wesleyan team has earned a
national ranking as NCAA Division II members. The Redhawks are
eligible to be ranked and advance to the NCAA Championships for the
first time this fall after completing the three year transition
process from NAIA to NCAA Division II membership. Roberts Wesleyan
will be able to win the ECC Championship this season as well. The
Redhawks have come in first at the past two ECC Championship meets,
but were ineligible to be named champions as provisional NCAA
members.
The USTFCCCA East Region rankings were released on Tuesday
afternoon as well. Roberts Wesleyan moved up one spot, passing
five-time defending East Region Champion, Stonehill, for the top
spot. Roberts is joined by St. Thomas Aquinas and LIU Post in the
East Region poll. St. Thomas Aquinas jumped four spots to No. 6
after taking the top spot in the Technology XC Highlander Challenge
last week, while LIU Post remains in the No. 7 spot in the
poll.
On the men's side, Roberts Wesleyan is the lone ECC member in the
East Region ranking, coming in at No. 4.
To view the USTFCCCA National poll, click here.
To view the USTFCCCA East Region poll, click here.
