Concordia Cross Country Squads Crack into the NAIA Top 25

Concordia University Cavaliers
Jason Dormeyer, Sports Information Director
Concordia University, Portland
Cross Country

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

September 16, 2008

Men's Rankings: http://naia.cstv.com/sports/m-xc/spec-rel/091608aaa.html
Women's Rankings: http://naia.cstv.com/sports/w-xc/spec-rel/091608aaa.html

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -After capturing their first invitational title in the history of the program, the Concordia women's cross country team jumped into the NAIA rankings for the first time according to the Sept. 16 poll.

After winning the 10-team Lewis and Clark Invite last weekend, Concordia received 212 votes to place No. 20 overall in the NAIA ranking. Cedarville (Ohio) maintained the top spot after collecting 558 total votes and 17 of the 20 first-place votes. Azusa Pacific (Calif.) grabbed the final three first-place votes to move into the second spot in the rankings with 541 overall votes. Simon Fraser, previously ranked No. 2, dropped to No. 5 this week.

Also representing the Cascade Collegiate Conference, The College of Idaho moved up one position to No. 11 after receiving 277 votes.

The Concordia men also jumped in the rankings after a victory at the Lewis and Clark Invite, moving from outside of the top 25 with 76 votes and into a tie for No. 13 with Cedarville in the NAIA rankings with 261 votes.

Three CCC teams made the poll on the men's side with College of Idaho coming in at No. 17 with 221 votes and Eastern Oregon at No. 23 122 votes. College of Idaho dropped three spots from its previous position while EOU fell two places.

Malone (Ohio) received 14 first place votes and 435 total points to remain No. 1 in the NAIA Men's Cross Country Coaches' Top 25 Poll. The Pioneers edged No. 2 Black Hills State (S.D.) by 12 points.

Black Hills State received 423 total points to remain in the second spot for the second straight week. Simon Fraser (B.C.) jumped up two spots to No. 3 with 400 total points while Embry-Riddle (Fla.) dropped to No. 4 with 392 total points. Azusa Pacific (Calif.) and California State-San Marcos both received 368 total points at No. 5

The third regular season top 25 poll will be released on Tuesday, Sept. 23rd.