St. Olaf Men Ranked #1 in D3 Central Region

The St. Olaf men's cross country team will open the 2010 cross country season ranked #1 in the U.S. Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association Division III Central Regional rankings released yesterday.

The Oles, who finished runner-up in the MIAC last fall and third in the Central Region, lead #2 Grinnell College of Iowa and #3 Hamline, the 2009 MIAC champs and the 4th-place team at regionals, in the rankings.

Other MIAC men's teams earning regional notice are #6 St. Thomas, regional co-champions in 2009, and #8 St. John's.

In D3 Central Region women's rankings, Carleton, the region champs last year, rank #2 behind Nebraska Wesleyan.

Other MIAC squads in the Central Regional top-10 are #3 St. Thomas, #5 St. Olaf, #6 Gustavus Adolphus, #8 St. Benedict, #9 Concordia-Moorhead, and #10 Bethel.

Complete D3 regional rankings can be found HERE.

Division II ... The University of Minnesota -Duluth women will open the 2010 season ranked #2 in the USTFCCA Division II Central Regional rankings. The 2009 NSIC runner-up Bulldogs finished 6th in the regional meet last year.

Adams State of Colorado tops the Central Region rankings. Winona State is ranked #9, while Minnesota State, Mankato is ranked #10.

In the D2 men's poll, Minnesota State, Mankato is ranked #7 in the region. St. Cloud State is ranked #9.

Find full D2 regional rankings HERE.

Update ... The University of Minnesota - Duluth women are ranked #6 in the USTFCCCA national poll released on Wednesday. Central Region power Adams State tops the national rankings for both women and men.

The UMD women are the sole Minnesota program ranked nationally in the D2 women's and men's polls.