USTFCCCA Division II National Poll

G-MAC Men's & Women's XC Season Performance List


INDIANAPOLIS – Cedarvillle and Malone both remain ranked among the best in Division II following the final regular-season release of the United States Track & Field Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) Women’s XC Poll.
 
Cedarville continued its season-long ascent and is entrenched at No. 6 nationally while Malone is set at No. 18.
 
With the upcoming G-MAC Cross Country Championships signifying the start of the postseason approaching soon in Canton, Ohio, the Yellow Jackets and Pioneers have their sights set on much more.
 
Cedarville started the year ranked tied for 25th, but has gradually earned more respect by vaulting into the top 10. The Yellow Jackets are coming off a third-place team performance at the Wisconsin-Parkside Invitational 6K race.
 
Cedarville has moved up in the national poll every week this season, from t25th (Aug. 31) to 14th (Sept. 14) to 10th (Sept. 28) to seventh (Oct. 5) and now, sixth (Oct. 12).
 
In the top-10 6K performance list around the conference, the Yellow Jackets own nine of those 10 best times led by senior Olivia Esbenshade’s 21:47.70 at the All-Ohio Championship.
 
Add the contributions in limited races for junior Carsyn Koch (4th-best time), sophomore Kayla Casaletto (5th and 6th-best times) along with senior Hailey Blackwell and freshman Olivia Kundo, and the Yellow Jackets have depth to rival just about anyone.
 
The Pioneers won the team title at the Slippery Rock Invitational and shifted down after being ranked at No. 17 in the previous poll.
 
Malone’s team time of 1:57:34.00 is ranked seventh in the league and junior Jade Smith finished third overall with individuals comprising a nine-team field.
 
Malone will serve as the host institution for next Saturday’s G-MAC Cross Country Championships. A full preview of the conference meet will be posted on G-MACsports.com next week.