Photo by: Marty France
Women Vault to No. 12 in National Rankings
11/18/2019 2:01:00 PM | Cross Country
The No. 12 ranking is the highest by a women's team in Air Force DI history.
NEW ORLEANS – Following its impressive third-place finish at last week's NCAA Mountain Regional, the Air Force women's cross country team jumped up three spots to No. 12 in the latest NCAA Division I Cross Country Coaches' Poll, which was released today (Nov. 18) by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches' Association.
The No. 12 ranking is the highest DI placement by a women's team in Academy history – bettering the previous No. 14 ranking that the Falcons received earlier this fall.
With juniors Maria Mettler and Mahala Norris finishing with the top 10 of the 130-runner 6K event, Air Force placed third in a loaded regional field that included six nationally-ranked squads. The women, who entered the meet ranked 15th, saw all five of their scoring runners finish within the top 32, as they bettered a pair of top-10 teams and secured an at-large bid to the national championship meet – just the second team appearance at the NCAA DI meet in program history.
On the men's side, Air Force continued to receive votes in the coaches' poll. The Falcons, who finished ninth in a regional lineup that included the top three teams in the NCAA, collected 8 points this week and sit three spots outside of the national rankings. The Air Force men have earned a mention in the national conversation during the last 23 polls – a span that dates back to the 2017 season.
The 2019 season comes to a close this Saturday (Nov. 23), when the women travel to Terre Haute, Ind., for the NCAA Cross Country Championships at LaVern Gibson Championship Course.
The No. 12 ranking is the highest DI placement by a women's team in Academy history – bettering the previous No. 14 ranking that the Falcons received earlier this fall.
With juniors Maria Mettler and Mahala Norris finishing with the top 10 of the 130-runner 6K event, Air Force placed third in a loaded regional field that included six nationally-ranked squads. The women, who entered the meet ranked 15th, saw all five of their scoring runners finish within the top 32, as they bettered a pair of top-10 teams and secured an at-large bid to the national championship meet – just the second team appearance at the NCAA DI meet in program history.
On the men's side, Air Force continued to receive votes in the coaches' poll. The Falcons, who finished ninth in a regional lineup that included the top three teams in the NCAA, collected 8 points this week and sit three spots outside of the national rankings. The Air Force men have earned a mention in the national conversation during the last 23 polls – a span that dates back to the 2017 season.
The 2019 season comes to a close this Saturday (Nov. 23), when the women travel to Terre Haute, Ind., for the NCAA Cross Country Championships at LaVern Gibson Championship Course.
Players Mentioned
/ Cross Country
/ Cross Country
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