Alabama Women’s Cross Country Ranked No. 17 in National Coaches’ Poll
11/3/2020 1:52:00 PM | Track & Field, Cross Country, Cross Country
Crimson Tide earns second-best national ranking in program history
NEW ORLEANS, La. – Fresh off of a runner-up finish at the Southeastern Conference Championships this past Friday, the Alabama women's cross country program is ranked No. 17 in the second National Coaches' Poll of the season, released Tuesday afternoon by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association.
After receiving votes outside the top-30 in the initial Coaches' Poll, Alabama moved into the national rankings for the first time since Week 4 of the 2015 season when the Crimson Tide was ranked No. 30.
The Crimson Tide is one of two Southeastern Conference teams to be featured in the top-30, as league champions the Arkansas Razorbacks hold the No. 1 spot.
Behind the Ranking
- The No. 17 ranking marks the second-best national ranking in program history.
- Last Friday, Alabama (57) posted a runner-up finish to Arkansas (41) at the SEC Championships, marking the smallest margin between the top-two teams since 2012 and the program's best conference finish since 1994.
- The Tide put together a well-balanced attack and showed off its depth, earning more women's First Team All-SEC nods than any other program racing at the meet.
- After finishing 10th a year ago, Mercy Chelangat took home the gold with a time of 19:46.5 in the 6k, becoming the first individual from Alabama to win since 1993.
- Esther Gitahi (20:10.5) and Jami Reed (20:11.4) also garnered top-10 finishes, placing fifth and sixth, respectively.
- Lauren Brackin (24th, 20:49.8) and Amaris Tyynismaa (26th, 20:53.2) rounded out the scorers as the Tide's top five runners all finished within the top-30 overall.
The 2020 NCAA Division I Cross Country Championships were rescheduled for Monday, March 15, in Stillwater, Okla.
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Players Mentioned
