Husky women move one spot in latest USTFCCCA cross country poll...

NEW ORLEANS—The University of Washington women’s cross country team (above/photo by Paul Merca), fresh off a solid victory at their own Sundodger Invitational, moved up one position to number 12 in the latest USTFCCCA national coaches’ cross country poll released by the organization Tuesday.

There were no changes in the national top five women’s teams, with reigning Pac-12 champ Colorado, defending national champions Oregon, New Mexico, Michigan, and Stanford occupying the top spots in that order.

The only other Pac-12 team in the national top 30 is number 26 Utah, which dropped four spots from last week.

The Washington men’s team did not receive any votes to merit a national ranking despite scoring a perfect 15 at its own Sundodger Invitational over the weekend, in spite of resting its top three runners.

Washington State, which hasn’t competed so far this season, remains the country’s number 11 team in the national poll.

Like the women’s poll, there were no changes in the national top five. Defending national champion Northern Arizona occupies the top spot, followed by Stanford, Syracuse, defending Pac-12 champ Colorado, and Arkansas.

Pac-12 teams in the national top 30 include # 8 Oregon, and # 20 UCLA.

The next test for Washington is the Bill Dellinger Invitational hosted by the University of Oregon on September 29th in Springfield, which will host the Pac-12 championships four weeks later.  Washington State heads to South Bend, Indiana for the Joe Piane Notre Dame Invitational.

The USTFCCCA men’s poll is available here, while the women’s poll is available here.

NOTE:  The USTFCCCA contributed to this report.