By Tyler Mayforth, USTFCCCA September 20, 2017
NEW ORLEANS – The reigning national champions in NJCAA Division I Cross Country aren't expected to repeat according to the first batch of National Coaches' Polls conducted by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA).
The Central Arizona men and Lansing (Mich.) women were both toppled by Iowa Central on Wednesday.
For those who are new or need a refresher, the NJCAA Cross Country National Coaches' Polls are voted on by 10 coaches from around the nation. Points are assigned to each spot in the poll and the team with the most points is No. 1, followed by the second most and so on and so forth.
The 2017 NJCAA Division I Cross Country Championships will be held Saturday, November 11 in Fort Dodge, Iowa.
Men's Story
It's neck and neck atop the Men's National Coaches' Poll as Iowa Central and Central Arizona split 10 first-place votes between them. That's right: The Tritons and Vaqueros each tallied five first-place votes from the coaches, but Iowa Central nabbed two more points elsewhere.
The Tritons will be led this season by Karim Achengli, who is already a two-time National Athlete of the Week. Achengli most recently won the individual title at the Spartan Invitational hosted by Michigan State this past weekend.
Women's Story
Iowa Central earned eight of the 10 first-place votes in the Women's National Coaches' Poll and in turn owns a 10-point advantage over No. 2 Cowley County (Kan.) CC.
The Tritons have shown their might during the season thus far, placing second behind NCAA Division I Iowa at the Hawkeye Invitational and wiping the floor with the JUCO competition at the Spartan Invitational hosted by Michigan State. Adva Cohen has been the key cog for Iowa Central and most recently finished 11th at the Spartan Invitational.
MEN'S CROSS COUNTRY NATIONAL COACHES' POLL |
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2017 Week #1 — September 20 |
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next release: October 4 |
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|
Rank |
Institution (FPV) |
Points |
NJCAA |
USTFCCCA |
Head Coach (Yr) |
2016 FINAL |
|
1 |
195 |
Region XI |
Midwest |
Dee Brown (14th) |
2 |
|
|
2 |
193 |
Region I |
West |
Paul Tavares (18th) |
1 |
|
|
3 |
168 |
Region VI |
Central |
Vince DeGrado (7th) |
4 |
|
|
4 |
146 |
Region V |
West |
Erik Vance (2nd) |
3 |
|
|
5 |
144 |
Region VI |
Central |
Dustin Mettler (1st) |
6 |
|
|
6 |
135 |
Region XI |
Midwest |
Curtis Vais (14th) |
9 |
|
|
7 |
130 |
Region XII |
Great Lakes |
Jim Robinson (9th) |
8 |
|
|
8 |
126 |
Region I |
West |
Dan Pescador (3rd) |
17 |
|
|
9 |
114 |
Region XII |
Great Lakes |
Chris Gafner (13th) |
12 |
|
|
10 |
107 |
Region X |
Atlantic |
Jay Koloseus (4th) |
11 |
|
|
11 |
94 |
Region XV |
Atlantic |
Shirvon Greene (3rd) |
31 |
|
|
12 |
93 |
Region V |
West |
Kathy Graham (3rd) |
24 |
|
|
13 |
74 |
Region XII |
Great Lakes |
Matt Sicilia (3rd) |
16 |
|
|
14 |
73 |
Region V |
West |
Felix Hinojosa (18th) |
21 |
|
|
15 |
64 |
Region VI |
Central |
Cameron Rieth (3rd) |
22 |
|
|
16 |
59 |
Region VI |
Central |
Drew Mahin (5th) |
13 |
|
|
17 |
41 |
Region XI |
Midwest |
Mitch Ruroden (1st) |
** |
|
|
18 |
35 |
Region VI |
Central |
Chad Clevenger (8th) |
15 |
|
|
19 |
25 |
Region VI |
Central |
Dan Adler (2nd) |
18 |
|
|
20 |
24 |
Region IX |
West |
Chris Kozlowski (10th) |
5 |
|
|
20 |
24 |
Region XII |
Great Lakes |
Kim Renas (5th) |
NR |
|
|
22 |
11 |
Region VI |
Central |
Justin Riggs (3rd) |
28 |
|
|
23 |
8 |
Region IV |
Midwest |
Trevor Howard (3rd) |
25 |
|
|
24 |
6 |
Region IV |
Midwest |
Dimitri Dimizas (2nd) |
NR |
|
|
25 |
5 |
Region IX |
West |
Lauren Martin (2nd) |
20 |
|
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Also Receiving Votes: Louisburg, Northern Virginia |
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** new program beginning competition in 2017 |
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