CLINTON, Miss. --- The United States Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association has announced its NCAA Division II Regional Cross Country Rankings with the Mississippi College women's cross country team ranked ninth in the South Region.
The poll marks the first time this season the Lady Choctaws have been ranked by the USTFCCCA this season. MC is one of seven teams from the Gulf South Conference in the top 10 ranking.
It's great to finally be recognized for the women's team in the Division II South Region," said head coach
Butch Ard. "We felt like we have had a pretty good season so far, and we keep looking to improve each week."
The Lady Choctaws finished seventh at the UAH Invite with 162 points.
Kaleigh Akers finished 13th among a field of 123 participants. The Daphne, Ala., product recorded a collegiate best time of 19:35 to lead MC.
Abbie Easter finished 29th with a time of 20:03.13 while
Rachel Smith was 36th with a time of 20:16.11 to round out the top three finishers for the Navy and Gold.
North Alabama and West Alabama are among conference foes ranked the top 10 and will compete at the Watson Ford Invite this Friday at Choctaw Trails. UWA is ranked fifth while UNA is tabbed seventh. Among the rankings from the GSC are Lee in second, Union in third, UAH in sixth and fellow newcomer to the ranking Valdosta State in eighth.
Saint Leo from the Sunshine State Conference leads the rankings with Tampa in fourth and independent Palm Beach Atlantic in 10th.
Race time for the Lady Choctaws on Friday is set for 4:30 p.m.
