Sept. 14  |  USTFCCCA Women's National XC Poll


GREENWOOD, Ind. – Cedarville’s women’s program made a giant leap up the United States Track & Field Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) National Poll that was released on Wednesday.
 
The Yellow Jackets climbed from a tie at 25th with the University of Tampa from the preseason poll all the way up to sole possession of 14th.
 
Cedarville is additionally ranked fifth in the Midwest Region behind four schools ranked in the top 10 nationally, including incoming 2017 G-MAC member Hillsdale at seventh in the first poll.
 
Grand Valley State (No. 1), Southern Indiana (No. 8) and Northern Michigan (No. 9) are also ranked in the Midwest Region.
 
Cedarville has competed in just one event, but made a big impression at the Queen City Invitational 6K race on Sept. 3.
 
Finishing second of nine overall, the Yellow Jackets’ team score surpassed Cincinnati, Wright State, Northern Kentucky and Xavier in the field.
 
Senior Olivia Esbenshade anchored the Yellow Jackets and was presented with Great Midwest Athletic Conference Women’s Cross Country Athlete of the Week honors. She would place 12th overall while sophomore Kayla Casaletto, freshman Olivia Kundo and junior Alaina Spears all landed in the top 20.
 
The Yellow Jackets are getting ready to host to the Friendship Invitational on Saturday for their next event.