USTFCCCA

NEW ORLEANS – We’re beginning to see some changes.

Week 2 brought some shakeups to the top 10 of the 2024 NCAA DII Women’s Cross Country National Coaches’ Poll, which was released on Wednesday by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA), but the top five held firm.

National Coaches’ Polls are presented by AthleticNET.

No. 1 Adams State still holds on to the top spot with all eight first-place votes. The Grizzlies ran a limited squad at the Roadrunner Invitational, but will be back in full force at the Joe Piane Notre Dame Invitational on October 4. After Adams State is No. 2 Grand Valley State, No. 3 Western Colorado, Griak Invitational champion No. 4 Augustana (S.D.), and No. 5 CSU Pueblo.

Lewis jumped two spots from No. 8 to No. 6 after an impressive showing at the 2024 National Catholic Invitational. The Flyers placed third overall among a slew of NCAA DI programs, with their top-5 athletes all finishing in the top 25.

Colorado School of Mines moved up five spots this week from No. 12 to No. 7 after a strong effort at the Roadrunner Invitational. The Orediggers simply dominated, taking home the team title with a 1-4-5-6-10 finish for 26 points. Senior Jenna Ramsey-Rutledge won the women’s 6k race in dominating fashion, crossing the finish line in a course-record 20:59, about 28 seconds ahead of the rest of the field. Colo. School of Mines defeated several of their regional rivals, including No. 10 UC-Colorado Springs, RV Colorado Mesa and NCAA DI No. 27 Colorado.

Nebraska-Kearney cracked the top 15 at No. 15 after placing sixth overall at the Greeno-Dirksen Invitational, the second-highest finish of non-NCAA DI teams. 

No. 13 West Texas A&M, No. 18 Fort Lewis, No. 22 Colorado Christian, and No. 25 Wayne State (Mich.) all improved their standing since Week 1 as well. 

Mark your calendars for Saturday, November 23, because that’s when the 2024 NCAA DII Cross Country Championships will be held at the Arcade Creek Cross Country Course in Sacramento, California.