Men’s Team Climbs to No. 4 in Latest USTFCCCA Rankings

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. – The Northern Arizona men’s cross country team has jumped up one spot to No. 4 in this week’s U. S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association poll. The Lumberjacks and the Colorado Buffalos swapped positions in both the national rankings and Mountain Region polls this week, giving the team the top ranking in the region.

The women’s squad also moved up in the regional rankings, climbing from No. 6, to the fifth spot, passing UTEP.

The Lumberjacks helped their own cause in the rankings by their performance this past weekend in Greeley, Colo., as both squads collected their third-straight Big Sky Championship. The men totaled 19 points, and the women 28. NAU also placed 12 runners on the All-Big Sky Team.

Both teams are off this weekend as they gear up for the NCAA Mountain Regional Championships on Nov. 14 in Albuquerque, N.M. The race will feature many top-tier teams in the nation, including host New Mexico, BYU, Texas Tech and Colorado.

Men’s 2009 Big Sky All-Conference Team

1. David McNeill - Northern Arizona University 24:35.8
2. Jordan Chipangam - Northern Arizona University 25:31.8
3. Ben Ashkettle - Northern Arizona University 25:32.9
4. Nick Atwood - Montana State University 25:46.3
5. Lynn Reynolds - University of Montana 25:49.0
6. Jason Pedersen - Northern Arizona University 25:51.5
7. Kameron Holbrook - Northern Arizona University 25:54.7
8. Andrew Belus - Northern Arizona University 25:58.6
9. Patrick Casey - Montana State University 26:03.0
10. Ahmed Osman - Northern Arizona University 26:11.6

Women’s 2009 Big Sky All-Conference Team

1. Veronica Pohl - Northern Arizona University 19:04.7
2. Kortnee Burton - Northern Arizona University 19:27.6
3. Katrina Drennen - University of Montana 19:29.1
4. Sarah Callister - Weber State University 19:36.8
5. Laken Skidmore - Weber State University 19:52.1
6. Haley Lawrence - Northern Arizona University 19:54.9
7. Kesslee Payne - University of Montana 20:02.8
8. Renisha Robinson - Sacramento State 20:02.8
9. Nell Rojas - Northern Arizona University 20:07.5
10. Astrid Leutert - Northern Arizona University 20:07.5