Wednesday, August 28, 2013

PORTLAND, Ore. - Alaska Anchorage earned a No. 9 men's national ranking and a No. 7 women's ranking in the inaugural USTFCCCA NCAA Division II national poll of the season Wednesday.

Also earning national rankings were Western Washington's men's team and Simon Fraser's women's team.

The Viking men were ranked 16th, while the Clan women were ranked 13th.

On Tuesday, nine GNAC cross country teams earned West Regional Top 10 rankings.

Alaska Anchorage earned a No. 2 ranking in both the men's and women's division.  Joining UAA in the men's rankings were Western Washington (3rd), Western Oregon (9th) and Montana State Billings (10th).

Simon Fraser (3rd), Western Washington (6th), Seattle Pacific (7th) and Central Washington (9th) joined the Seawolves in the women's Top 10.

Later this fall, the GNAC will host the NCAA Division II West Regional and NCAA Division II National championships at Plantes Ferry Sports Complex in Spokane, Wash.  The regional will be held on Nov. 9 and the national meet is scheduled for Nov. 23.

The regional will serve as a qualifier for the national meet with the top five teams and top three individuals not on a qualifying team advancing to the national meet in both divisions.

WEST REGION RANKINGS:  Men - 1. Chico State; 2. Alaska Anchorage; 3. Western Washington; 4. Humboldt State; 5. Cal Baptist; 6. San Francisco State; 7. Cal Poly Pomona; 8. UC San Diego; 9. Western Oregon; 10. Montana State Billings.  Women - 1. Chico State; 2. Alaska Anchorage; 3. Simon Fraser; 4. Humboldt State; 5. Cal State Stanislaus; 6. Western Washington; 7. Seattle Pacific; 8. San Francisco State; 9. Central Washington; 10. Cal Poly Pomona.