Cougs rocket to number 11 in USTFCCCA coaches' poll after Nuttycombe performance...

Solomon Kipchoge (2420) and Evans Kurui (2422)
of Washington State in action at the Wisconsin
Nuttycombe Invitational (Paul Merca photo)

NEW ORLEANS--The Washington State Cougars were one of the big winners after their performance at the Wisconsin Nuttycombe Invitational last Friday, as evidenced by their rankings in the latest USTFCCCA Division I national coaches' poll released Tuesday.

The WSU men, who entered the Nuttycombe ranked number 21, jumped ten spots to number 11, the team's highest ranking since 1998 when they were ranked tenth, with Bernard Lagat. The Cougars finished sixth in Wisconsin, led by top five finishes from Solomon Kipchoge and Evans Kurui.

Gonzaga, which finished 18th at Nuttycombe, received votes.

The nation's top five men's teams are, in order: Iowa State, Oklahoma State, New Mexico, Virginia and Colorado.

Big Ten teams in the national top 30 include number 10 Oregon, number 13 Michigan State, number 15 Wisconsin, and number 25 Michigan.

The University of Washington women's team, which finished 13th at Nuttycombe, despite missing World University Games 5000m champion Julia David-Smith, is tied for number 20 in the national poll. UW dropped three spots in the poll.

Right behind the Huskies in 22nd is Washington State, which moved up five spots to number 22 after their 14th place finish.

Gonzaga, which finished 16th in Wisconsin, remains in the national top 30, despite dropping six spots to number 26.

The national women's top five teams are in order: BYU, NC State, Florida, Oregon, and Notre Dame.

Other Big Ten teams in the national top 30 include number 8 Northwestern, number 12 Penn State, number 19 Wisconsin, and number 24 Michigan State.

The focus for the state's five NCAA Division I teams now is on the various conference championship meets next weekend (October 31-November 1).

The USTFCCCA release is available here.

NOTE: The USTFCCCA contributed to this report.

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