USTFCCCA Preseason National Poll

NEW ORLEANS – The U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches' Association (USTFCCCA) released its 2023 NCAA Division II Preseason National Coaches' Poll Tuesday afternoon and the Colorado School of Mines Men's Cross Country team appeared at #1 while the women took #3.
 
The Oredigger men earned a preseason #1 nod after winning the 2022 NCAA Division II Cross Country Championships by the largest margin in program history. Mines' women appear at #3 after finishing third in the nation in 2022. That finish matched the women's highest team finish in program history and marked their third straight podium appearance at the national meet. Overall, the Oredigger men and women return a total of five cross country all-Americans. Duncan Fuehne was #3 in the nation for the men in 2022 while Loic Scomparin was #10 and Paul Knight took #24. Molly Maksin grabbed #12 on the women's side and Grace Strongman crossed the line #39.
 
Numerous familiar faces joined the Orediggers in the national rankings. On the men's list, Adams State was #2, Colorado Christian was #6, Western Colorado nabbed #11, CSU Pueblo slotted #20, and UCCS was #25. The women's poll featured Adams State #1, UCCS #4, Western Colorado #7, Colorado Christian #9, and CSU Pueblo #15.
 
Mines' men and women open their 2023 season on Friday, Sept. 1, at the CU Time Trials in Boulder, Colo. A full preview of the race will be offered on Thursday at www.minesathletics.com.
 
Fans can keep up with Mines cross country on Twitter and Instagram at @csmtrack. They can also keep up with Colorado School of Mines Athletics all year long on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram using the handle @MinesAthletics.