Northwest Christian's women's cross country program, led by top runner Brittany Arch (72), moved into the NAIA Top 25 this week. The No. 24 ranking by the Beacons is the first-ever NAIA Top 25 appearance by an NCU team in any sport.
8 CCC XC Programs Ranked in NAIA Top 25
This Week's CCC Cross Country Report
PORTLAND, Ore. – A total of eight Cascade Collegiate Conference cross country programs – a nation’s best five on the women’s side and three on the men’s – are ranked in the latest NAIA Top 25 polls, released Wednesday by the national office.
In the women’s poll, the CCC is paced by a pair of top-five squads – No. 4 Concordia, which climbed four spots from last week, and No. 5 College of Idaho, which improved one spot. Southern Oregon, which is coming off an impressive performance at the Sundodger Invitational in Seattle, jumped all the way from the “receiving votes” category to the nation’s No. 11 position. Eastern Oregon fell one spot to No. 14, and Northwest Christian, which has received votes in the poll this season and last, made its Top 25 debut at the No. 24 spot. It is the first-ever NAIA Top 25 ranking for an NCU team in any sport.
In the men’s ranking, Southern Oregon is listed No. 2 for the third consecutive poll. The Raiders garnered eight of 24 first-place votes to come within seven points of top-ranked and defending national champion Malone (Ohio).
College of Idaho remained in the top 10, falling two spots to the No. 10 position, and Eastern Oregon is ranked 14th this week after holding down the No. 11 position in the previous poll. Concordia fell out of the Top 25 but is receiving votes.