Minnesota State - Mankato Ranked #6 in D2

Minnesota State - Mankato, the 5th place finishers at last year's NCAA Division II men's cross country championships, opens the 2008 season ranked #6 in the U.S. Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association pre-season poll released yesterday.

Defending champions Abilene Christian of Texas lead the poll, which can be found HERE. The University of Minnesota - Duluth, the only other Minnesota men's squad in the rankings, opens the season at #24.

UMD's women harriers are the only ranked Minnesota women's squad in D2 at #23. Full women's rankings are HERE.

Division III ... The St. Olaf College men top the local schools in the D3 rankings, HERE, at #23. Bethel University is ranked #34.

The St. Thomas women are the lone Minnesota school in the D3 women's poll, HERE, at #23.