2022 NCAA DI Women’s Cross Country National Coaches’ Poll – Week 1
NEW ORLEANS – The season is officially underway!
Here is the Week 1 edition of the NCAA Division I Women’s Cross Country National Coaches’ Poll for the 2022 season, as released on Tuesday by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA). Remember that this poll is conducted by counting votes from 11 member coaches – one from each of the division’s nine regions (who also do the regional rankings) – as well as two members from the NCAA Cross Country Executive Committee.
NCAA Division I — Women's Cross Country
This Week's National Top Five
NC State
New Mexico
Colorado
Oklahoma State
StanfordCross Country Polls & Rankings
All remained steady among the top teams between the preseason and Week 1 of the National Coaches’ Poll: NC State is still No. 1, followed by No. 2 New Mexico, No. 3 Colorado, No. 4 Oklahoma State and No. 5 Stanford. The Wolfpack received all 11 first-place votes and are slated to kick off their season on Friday at the adidas XC Challenge. The Cowgirls and the Cardinal opened up the year with collegiate competition and showed their depth: Oklahoma State hosted the Cowboy Preview; Stanford rolled to a win at the University of San Francisco Invitational.
There wasn’t much movement in the rest of the top-10 either. Sixth-ranked Notre Dame, seventh-ranked BYU, eighth-ranked Washington and ninth-ranked Arkansas maintained their positions, and are now joined by No. 10 Alabama. The Crimson Tide improved two spots from their preseason billing after cruising to a win at the Lion Opener with 18 points.
Several teams throughout the remainder of the National Coaches’ Poll saw improvements in their Week 1 positions: No. 13 North Carolina (up one from No. 14), No. 17 Oregon (up two from No. 19), No. 21 Northern Arizona (up one from No. 22), No. 24 Iowa State (up two from No. 16) and No. 27 Illinois (up one from No. 28). Furman, who was previously receiving votes in the preseason, is now ranked No. 28 after sweeping the USC Upstate Eye Opener Invitational.
Mark your calendars for November 19, as that’s when the 2022 NCAA DI Cross Country Championships will be held at the OSU Cross Country Course in Stillwater, Oklahoma. Don’t forget that the championship races will be broadcast commercial-free once again on ESPNU.