Men's Cross Country National Poll Released--AFA Ranked Ninth
10/24/2001 12:00:00 AM | Cross Country
Oct. 16, 2001
U.S. Air Force Academy, Colo. -
The Air Force men's cross country team is ranked ninth in the latest U.S. Cross Country Coaches Association national poll. The Falcons are tied with Northern Arizona with 251 points and are ranked fifth in the Mountain Region.
Keeping it in perspective, "We were under-ranked a week ago and we're probably ranked a little high this week," said head coach Mark Stanforth. Going into the NCAA Pre-Meet at Furman University last week, where the men's team finished third, Air Force was ranked 29th in the polls. "With our race at the Pre-NCAA, as long as we perform well in the Region meet, we'll get the opportunity to compete at the NCAA meet and find out for sure," said Stanforth.
"I am extremely excited, however, the team realizes that there are still five weeks left in the season. If we keep the same work ethic, intensity, unity among our team, and listen to our coach-the goals we set at the beginning of the season will be reached," said C1C David Romero from Oceanside, Calif.
"I think being ranked ninth in the nation is a great thing. We are finally getting the recognition that we deserve. The next step is going on to nationals and proving that we are, in fact, a top ten team," commented C3C Chris Acs from Niles, Ohio.
The Academy's men and women's cross country teams will be in Albuquerque, N.M. on Oct. 27 to compete in the Mountain West Conference championships. The race will be run at the Paradise Hills Golf Course. The women's 6K race will start at 10:00 a.m. with the men's 8K starting at 10:45 a.m. The Mountain Region meet is scheduled for Nov. 11 followed by the NCAA Championships, Nov. 19.
