USTFCCCA NCAA Division II Cross Country National Coaches' Poll
 
NEW ORLEANS – The Colorado School of Mines women's cross country team made history Wednesday as the Orediggers climbed to #1 in the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches' Association's (USTFCCCA) national rankings for the first time in program history. Mines' men held strong at #2 in the poll.
 
The Mines women usurped defending national champion Adams State after defeating the Grizzlies head-to-head at the Lucian Rose Invite hosted by Wisconsin Parkside on Saturday. A 1-2-3 finish for Grace Strongman, Emily LaMena, and Margaux Basart fueled the victory and the rise from #4 to #1 in the nation. A total of 51 points for the Orediggers gave them a 26-point margin over second-place ASU. Mines' men sat #2 for a third straight week (plus the preseason) after winning its team title at Lucian Rosa Invite. Paul Knight led the Orediggers by finishing third overall as Mines had seven runners cross the finish line before runner-up Adams State could score five. Even still, the margin of victory was just seven points.
 
Other notable programs in the men's rankings include #1 Wingate, #3 Adams State, #6 Colorado Christian, #8 Western Colorado, #12 UCCS, and #19 Fort Lewis. The women's poll featured West Texas A&M at #2, Grand Valley State at #3, and Adams State #4. After that, it was #7 Western Colorado, #8 UCCS, #11 Fort Lewis, #17 CSU Pueblo, #25 Colorado Mesa, and #27 Colorado Christian.
 
Mines closes its regular season slate on Saturday, Oct. 11, at the FHSU Tiger Open in Hays, Kan. A full preview will be released on Friday at www.minesathletics.com.
 
Fans can keep up with Mines cross country on "X" (formerly 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.