Men's Cross Country Earns National Ranking
October 06, 2015 | Cross Country
Cards are ranked No. 17 in the USTFCCA Coaches Poll and No. 18 in the FloTrack Poll
LOUISVILLE, Ky. - After finishing third in an extremely competitive field at the Greater Louisville Classic Saturday, the University of Louisville men's cross country team earned their first national ranking since 2011 as they moved to No. 17 in the USTFCCA Top 30 Poll and No. 18 in the FloTrack Poll.
"We're honored by the ranking but realize the only poll that is truly significant is the one that comes out just after the national championships in November," said head coach Dale Cowper. "Our staff believes this group of men has the ability to continue progressing in October as well as the potential to be very competitive in the post season races."
The Cards earned 150 points in the poll and is tied with ACC foe, North Carolina State in the poll. U of L's highest previous national ranking in the cross country coaches' poll was No. 13 in the 2007 season after winning their first ever BIG EAST Conference title.
Colorado is the unanimous first place selection after receiving all 12 first place votes and comprising a total of 360 points. Louisville is one of four teams ranked in the top 17 as Syracuse is the first ACC team in the poll at No. 2 while another conference team, Virginia, stands at No. 7. The Cards' move up the rankings came three days after earning a strong finish at the Greater Louisville Classic.
In the FloTrack poll, No. 18 Louisville is also one of four ACC teams ranked in the top 25 along with No. 3 Syracuse, No. 7 Virginia, and No. 21 NC State.
U of L had three runners finish in the top 10 at the Greater Louisville Classic with junior Edwin Kibichiy finishing second with a time of 23:55.21. Senior Japhet Kipkoech continued his impressive senior season campaign with a fifth place finish and a personal best time of 23:57.24. Junior Ernest Kibet rounded out the top 10 with a time of 24:14.24.
Up next, U of L will host the Pre-Nationals on Oct. 17 at E.P. 'Tom' Sawyer State Park. The event begins at 9:30 a.m. with the men's red race and includes the women's red and black races as well as the men's black race.
FOLLOWING THE CARDINALS ON SOCIAL MEDIA
Fans can follow Louisville cross country and track and field on Twitter (@uofltrackxc) at www.twitter.com/uofltrackxc and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/uofltrackxc.
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"We're honored by the ranking but realize the only poll that is truly significant is the one that comes out just after the national championships in November," said head coach Dale Cowper. "Our staff believes this group of men has the ability to continue progressing in October as well as the potential to be very competitive in the post season races."
The Cards earned 150 points in the poll and is tied with ACC foe, North Carolina State in the poll. U of L's highest previous national ranking in the cross country coaches' poll was No. 13 in the 2007 season after winning their first ever BIG EAST Conference title.
Colorado is the unanimous first place selection after receiving all 12 first place votes and comprising a total of 360 points. Louisville is one of four teams ranked in the top 17 as Syracuse is the first ACC team in the poll at No. 2 while another conference team, Virginia, stands at No. 7. The Cards' move up the rankings came three days after earning a strong finish at the Greater Louisville Classic.
In the FloTrack poll, No. 18 Louisville is also one of four ACC teams ranked in the top 25 along with No. 3 Syracuse, No. 7 Virginia, and No. 21 NC State.
U of L had three runners finish in the top 10 at the Greater Louisville Classic with junior Edwin Kibichiy finishing second with a time of 23:55.21. Senior Japhet Kipkoech continued his impressive senior season campaign with a fifth place finish and a personal best time of 23:57.24. Junior Ernest Kibet rounded out the top 10 with a time of 24:14.24.
Up next, U of L will host the Pre-Nationals on Oct. 17 at E.P. 'Tom' Sawyer State Park. The event begins at 9:30 a.m. with the men's red race and includes the women's red and black races as well as the men's black race.
FOLLOWING THE CARDINALS ON SOCIAL MEDIA
Fans can follow Louisville cross country and track and field on Twitter (@uofltrackxc) at www.twitter.com/uofltrackxc and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/uofltrackxc.
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Players Mentioned
/ Cross Country
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