North Carolina State University Athletics
NC State Makes Big Jump In Cross Country Polls
10/4/2006 12:00:00 AM | Cross Country
Fresh off their strong performances at the Notre Dame Invitational, the NC State men’s and women’s cross country teams both made significant jumps in this weeks polls by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA).
The Wolfpack men went to Notre Dame unranked and took first place by a 23-point margin, beating a field that included seven ranked opponents. NC State’s men jumped all the way to No. 12 in this week’s USTFCCCA men’s poll. None of NC State’s runners finished in the top 10 at Notre Dame, but as a group, the Pack had five runners finish between 11th and 30th, and three more in the top 48. Senior Bryce Ruiz paced the Wolfpack with his 11th-place finish. Juniors Stephen Furst, John Crews and Wes Smith were officially 14th, 15th and 16th, respectively, but all three came across the finish line in a time of 24:10.
The NC State women, who finished second at Notre Dame and finished ahead of six ranked teams, including seventh-ranked Illinois, moved from No. 12 all the way to No. 5. Freshman Bona Jones (4th place), sophomore Brittany Tinsley (6th) and senior Julia Lucas 11th) paced the Wolfpack, which finished second only to Michigan, which moved from third to second in this week’s poll.
NC State cross country will be in action again on October 14 at the NCAA Pre-Nationals at Terre Haute, Ind.
