FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Clark Teuscher, Sports Information Director, 630-637-5302

USTFCCCA Division III Top 35 Poll

Sept. 15, 2010 - The North Central College men's cross country team remains the No. 2-ranked Division III team in the nation by the narrowest possible margin this week, according to the most recent 2010 rankings released by the United States Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association.

The Cardinals received three of the eight first-place votes and tallied 272 points in the poll, ranking behind only Washington University (Mo.) The Bears, who were also the No. 1-ranked team in the preseason poll received four first-place votes and 273 points to edge out North Central by a single point.

Allegheny College (Pa.) received one first place vote and is remains third, while Haverford College (Pa.) and the State University of New York-Geneseo round out the top five. North Central is the only College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin team to be ranked in the top 35.

North Central opened the season at the Elmhurst College Earlybird Invitational on Sept. 3, posting a perfect score in securing the team championship. The Cardinals sent a split squad to the Aurora University Spartan Invitational on Sept. 10, placing second. Michael Spain and Pat Lesiewicz claimed individual victories in the two meets and received the first two CCIW Runner of the Week Awards for 2010.

The Cardinals participate in the Illinois Intercollegiate Championships on Friday at Weibring Golf Course in Normal, Ill.