Kansas Cross Country Ranked in Top 10 in Midwest Region
Sept. 14, 2009
LAWRENCE, Kan. –
Both the Kansas men and women’s cross country teams are ranked among the preseason top 10 teams in the Midwest Region, announced Monday by the U.S. Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association.
The KU women’s team is ranked ninth in the preseason poll, while the men occupy the No. 10 spot. Minnesota, Illinois and conference opponent Iowa State are listed as the top three teams on the women’s side. The top three teams for the men are Oklahoma State, Tulsa and Minnesota.
Although this is considered the preseason ranking, Kansas has already competed in two events in 2009, posting solid performances in each of the meets. Both the men and women won the Bob Timmons Classic at Rim Rock Farm on Saturday, Sept. 5. The men followed that performance with a victory last weekend at the Missouri Cross Country Challenge, while the women took second.
Last year, the KU women finished seventh out of 27 teams at the Midwest Regional Championship. This season, the Jayhawks return six of the seven runners who competed at that meet in 2008, including Lauren Bonds, who finished in 15th place overall to earn all-region honors.
The Kansas men placed eighth at the 2008 Midwest Regional Championship in a field of 23 teams. The Jayhawks also return six of the seven athletes who ran in the 10K race last season. Donny Wasinger and Bret Imgrund, who are both back for the 2009 campaign, finished among the top 30 at last year’s meet.
