Arkansas Cross Country Ranked No. 3 in Preseason Poll

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – The United State Cross Country Coaches Association (USCCCA) released its preseason poll on Tuesday night and the Razorbacks found themselves ranked third in the nation. Arkansas received three first place votes and 460 points, but the Hogs are not far behind the first and second-ranked teams.

Last year’s national runner-up, Wisconsin, grabbed the early No. 1 spot with 465 points and nine first-place votes, while 2004 NCAA champion, Colorado, was given four first place votes and 462 points. BYU was picked to finish fourth (414) and Stanford rounded out the top five with 409 points.

“That’s about where I thought we would be ranked,” Arkansas head coach John McDonnell said. “Wisconsin and Colorado are very good teams and they have almost everyone coming back, but I like our chances too. If we stay healthy we’ll have a great team at nationals.”

At last year’s NCAA Cross Country Championships the Hogs finished third, earning 202 points. Senior Josphat Boit was UA’s top finisher in third and senior Marc Rodrigues was the other Razorback to pick up an All-America honor with a 25th place showing. With those two returning All-Americans, improved underclassmen and a talented pool of true freshmen, the Razorbacks are ready to show their strength as the 2005 season gets under way.

Arkansas is the only Southeastern Conference team found in the top 30 and one of two South Central regional teams placed in the top 10. In the South Central regional poll UA was ranked No. 1, followed by Texas at No. 2 and Rice at No. 3.

Baylor will host the NCAA South Central Regional Championships on Nov. 12, in Waco, Texas. The 2005 NCAA Cross Country Championships will be held on Nov. 21, in Terre Haute, Ind., at the LaVern Gibson Championship Cross Country Course.

MONDO MEN’S NCAA-I CROSS COUNTRY POLL Ranking
Team (first place votes)
Points

1. Wisconsin (9)465

2. Colorado (4) 462

3. Arkansas (3)460

4. BYU 414

5. Stanford 409

6. Iona College384

7. Notre Dame 373

8. Cal Poly San Luis Obispo337

9. Texas335

10. Arizona 330

11. Arizona State318

12. Georgetown266

13. Ohio State 249

14. Air Force 243

15. Butler 241

16. Iowa 239

17. Indiana 204

18. North Carolina State 197

19. William & Mary 185

20. Florida State164

21. Portland 141

22. UTEP 130

23. American 124

24. Providence 122

25. Minnesota 102

26. Colorado State 88

27. Michigan64

28. Oklahoma State 60

Oregon60

30. Michigan State 49

Northern Arizona 49

South Central Region Poll

1. Arkansas

2. Texas

3. Rice

4. Texas A&M

5. Baylor

6. A&M-Corpus Christi

7. Stephen F. Austin

8. LSU

9. UT-Pan American

10. Sam Houston

11. Lamar

12. Houston

13. UT-San Antonio

14. North Texas

15. TCU