DURHAM, N.C. - After successful starts to the 2009 season, the Duke men's and women's cross country squads have both entered the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) national rankings, marking the first time both teams have been ranked simultaneously since Oct. 2004.
The men's third-place finish at the Roy Griak Invitational this past weekend has earned the team its first national ranking since 2004, when the Blue Devils were selected 26th. The Duke men are now ranked 27th in the country, and fourth in the Southeast Region. In the region, the Blue Devils trail only William and Mary and ACC-rivals Virginia and N.C. State.
The Atlantic Coast Conference, along with the Big-12, leads all leagues with four ranked men's teams in this week's USTFCCCA national poll. Virginia (No. 14), N.C. State (No. 19) and Florida State (No. 26) join the Blue Devils in the rankings.
"The men's team is off to a promising start this season and we're thrilled to get some national recognition," head coach Norm Ogilvie said. "We won't be satisfied, however, until we contend for the ACC title on an annual basis and are also making regular trips to the NCAA Championships in November. There is still much work that needs to be done, but we also hope our athletes are enjoying their personal journeys along the way."
On the women's side, Duke, ranked 30th in the USTFCCA preseason poll, moved up a place to 29th. The Blue Devils hold the second spot in the Southeast Region rankings, behind only ACC-rival Virginia.
Duke is one of three ACC women's squads listed in the USTFCCCA national rankings, along with Florida State (No. 3) and Virginia (No. 14).
"We are always pleased to be considered among the nation's elite women's cross country programs," head women's cross country coach Kevin Jermyn said. "Based on our first race and early season training, we believe we are capable of running with the best teams in the country. We are excited about the opportunity to compete against 13 strong teams in Wisconsin on Saturday, seven of which are currently ranked ahead of us in the latest national poll."
Both the men's and women's teams will participate in meets this coming weekend. The men's B team will travel to Cary, N.C., for the Great American Cross Country Festival on Friday, Oct. 2, at 3 p.m. Nine harriers from the women's side will head to Madison, Wisc., for the Wisconsin Invite, while the B team will compete at the Hagan Stone XC Classic in Greensboro, N.C. Both women's races are scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 3.
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