FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Mark Albanese, Assistant Sports Information Director, 630-637-5302

Complete Regional Rankings

Aug. 24, 2010-- The United States Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association released its preseason regional rankings on Tuesday with the North Central College women's cross country squad ranking seventh within the Midwest Region.

2009 Regional Champion University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire claimed the top spot in the Midwest Region followed by Washington University in Saint Louis and the University of Chicago. The defending College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin champion Cardinals are seventh while conference rivals Wheaton College and Illinois Wesleyan University are ranked eighth and ninth, respectively.

Placed in order by a representative from each of the eight regions, regional rankings are a reflection of a team's strengths entering the year based on returning and new runners on each squad.

The Cardinals won the CCIW title by one point over Wheaton in 2009 with three runners finishing among the top 10. North Central would go on to place fifth at the NCAA Division III Midwest Regional as Amanda Laesch and Lauren Hooks both qualified for the National Championships.

North Central opens up the 2010 season on Sept. 3 at the Badger Classic in Madison, Wis.