Sept. 11, 2012

USTFCCCA Coaches' Poll | LMU XC on Facebook | LMU XC on Twitter

LOS ANGELES -- The LMU Women's Cross Country team has been ranked 15th in the latest United States Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches' Association (USTFCCCA) West Regional poll released Monday.

The Lions are coming off of a successful run at the UC Irvine Invitational. LMU, showcasing runners competing for spots in the top-nine, was led by freshman Melanie Joerger who finished 23rd overall in the race. The team, despite missing some of its top runners, finished fourth out of the 14 teams competing.

LMU began its season with the defense of its title at the Mark Covert Classic hosted by Cal State Fullerton. The Lions won its second consecutive title in Brea, Calif. with senior Sheree Shea leading the way, winning the individual title at the meet.

The West Coast Conference was well represented in the latest regional polls with more than half of its teams ranked: LMU, San Francisco, Portland, and Gonzaga in the West Regional poll and BYU in the Mountain Regional poll.

Current No. 1 teams by region as selected by regional representatives: Wisconsin (Great Lakes), Princeton (Mid-Atlantic), Oklahoma State (Midwest), BYU (Mountain), Iona (Northeast), Florida State (South), Texas (South Central), NC State (Southeast), Portland (West). Top women's teams by region: Michigan (Great Lakes), Georgetown (Mid-Atlantic), Iowa State (Midwest), Weber State (Mountain), Syracuse (Northeast), Florida State (South), Arkansas (South Central), Virginia (Southeast), Oregon (West).

USTFCCCA Regional Cross Country Rankings are determined subjectively by a single member coach in each respective region. The regional representative is tasked with weighing returning team strength with current-season results in determining predicted team finishes at the NCAA Regional Championships.

The Lions return to action this Saturday, Sept. 15 at the WCC Preview Meet in Portland, Ore. hosted by the University of Portland. The meet begins with the women's 6k race at 10:00 a.m. followed by the men's 8k race at 10:45 a.m.

- GO LIONS -