Oct. 21, 2002
EVANSTON, Ill. - On Saturday, the Northwestern women's cross country team finally displayed the potential they have to make some noise at the national level when they placed 13th out of 37 teams at the Pre-National Invitational in Terre Haute, Ind.
On Monday, that performance was rewarded.
The Wildcats crashed into the FinishLynx/NCAA Division I Women's Cross Country National Poll today, placing 27th in the listing of the Top 30 teams. It is the first national ranking for the 'Cats since the program was brought back to varsity status in 1998.
"We're ecstatic," said head coach Amy Tush. "I knew all along that we had the talent to compete at the top level, and Saturday that came to fruition. This gives us evidence that what we're doing is being recognized."
The ranking adds fuel to the fire as Northwestern heads into the championship season. The Wildcats' next race is Sunday, Nov. 3, when they compete in the Big Ten Championships at West Lafayette, Ind. Following that, NU participates in the Midwest Regional Championships on Nov. 16 in Normal, Ill., with the ultimate goal a team berth into the NCAA Championships. That meet will take place in Terre Haute on November 25.
"We still have a long way to go, but hopefully this will inspire the women even more," said Tush. "To know they are being watched should spur them to even greater things."