Gopher Women Ranked #8 in NCAA Poll;Minnesota Men Open Season Ranked #17

The University of Minnesota women's cross country team opens the 2009 season ranked #8 in NCAA Division I, according to the preseason poll released by the U.S. Track and Field/Cross Country Coaches Association yesterday.

The two-time defending Big Ten champions, who finished 11th at the NCAA Championships last year, are the top-ranked team from the conference in the poll. Defending NCAA champ Washington is ranked #1, followed by Oregon, Florida State, and West Virginia.

In addition to the Gophers, the Big Ten finds Illinois ranked #10, Wisconsin #15, Michigan State #17, Michigan #19, and Penn State #26.

The complete women's poll can be found HERE.

Gopher Men Ranked #17 ... The Minnesota men, the third place team in the Big Ten in 2008 and 15th at NCAAs, open the season as the 17th-best team in the country, according to the poll.

Defending NCAA champion Oregon leads the poll, followed by Oklahoma State, Stanford, and Big Ten rival Wisconsin.

The only other ranked Big Ten teams are #22 Michigan and #28 Penn State.

The complete men's poll can be found HERE.

Duwell Honored ... Gopher senior Megan Duwell earned a share the Big Ten Cross Country Runner of the Week award after defending her individual title in the Oz Memorial Run on Friday.

Duwell ran 21:14 over her 6K home course, bettering her nearest rival by 53 seconds and leading her teammates to a first-place team finish.

Duwell shares the honor with Cheryl Spring of Penn State.