Sept. 25, 2008

· Men’s Cross Country Weekly Report # 1 ·

As we head into week four, consistency is the word that best describes the Top 5 so far this season.  Three of the Top 5 teams in this week’s NAIA Men’s Cross Country Coaches’ Top 25 Poll have been there all year.  In fact, Malone (Ohio) and Black Hills State (S.D.) have occupied the top two spots in every poll dating back to the preseason.  Embry-Riddle (Fla.) has moved around a little bit in the polls but has remained a Top 5 program week in and week out.  The Eagles currently sit at No. 3.

· Men’s Cross Country News and Notes ·

·          Malone is looking for its third national title after winning it all last season.  Last year’s championship was the team’s first since the 1972 squad became the first-ever Pioneer athletic team to win an NAIA national title.

·          2007 Individual National Champion Aron Rono of Azusa Pacific (Calif.) is off to a hot start this year.  On Sept. 13, the senior set a new course record as he won the Aztec Invitational in San Diego.  That win was his sixth victory in the past seven races and the 11th of his career.

·          The surprise team of the year so far is Southern Oregon.  The Raiders have climbed all the way to No. 10 in the country after beginning the season unranked.  They competed in their first event this season on Sept. 20, placing first at the UW Sundoger Invitational in Seattle.

· Women’s Cross Country Weekly Report # 1 ·

After finishing last year as the National Runner-up, Cedarville (Ohio) has been ranked No. 1 in every poll this year.  The Lady Jackets won the Shawnee State Invitational on Sept. 5 and followed it up with another first place finish at the Wisconsin-Parkside Midwest Collegiate Open on Sept. 20.  They will host the 2^nd Annual Cedarville Open on Saturday, Sept. 27. 

· Women’s Cross Country News and Notes ·

·          Simon Fraser (B.C.) is seeking its sixth consecutive national title this season.  The Clan are currently ranked No. 5 in the NAIA Women's Cross Country Coaches' Top 25 Poll.  They are led by head coach Brit Townsend who has been named the Women's Cross Country Coach of the Year in each of the past five seasons.

·          Last season’s Individual National Champion Jaime Canterbury of Azusa Pacific (Calif.) is back for her senior campaign.  Also returning this year is teammate and Individual National Runner-up Jacky Kipwambok.  These two are a big reason why the Cougars won their first event of the year and are currently ranked No. 2 in the country.

·          Concordia (Ore.)  has been the surprise team of the year so far.  The Cavaliers are ranked No. 14 in the country this week after starting the year unranked.  They have competed in three events this season, winning two of them and placing third in the other.