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

USTFCCCA Regional Rankings

Sept. 21, 2010-- The United States Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association released its third installment of the regional rankings on Tuesday with the North Central College women's cross country team jumping up one spot to sixth in the Midwest Region.

The Cardinals rose one spot this week, swapping positions with the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse for sixth. The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire maintains its spot as the region's top squad, followed by Washington University in Saint Louis and the University of Chicago. The University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh is fourth with the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point rounding out the top five. College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin rivals Illinois Wesleyan University and Wheaton College rank eighth and ninth, respectively.

North Central's jump in the rankings coincides with its strong showing at Friday's Illinois Intercollegiate Championships, placing seventh at the 31-team event held at the Weibring Golf Course in Normal, Ill. The Cardinals scored 216 points and placed second among non-NCAA Division I institutions. Amanda Laesch was named the CCIW Runner of the Week on Monday after finishing sixth overall, traversing the 5,000-meter course in 18:01 to lead the Cardinal contingent.

The Cardinals travel to the University of Minnesota's Roy Griak Invitational on Sept. 25, while also sending a squad to Lake Forest College's Forester Invitational.