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

USTFCCCA Rankings

Oct. 6, 2010-- The United States Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association released its fifth installment of the NCAA Division III Top 35 Coaches' Poll on Wednesday with the North Central College men's cross country team occupying the top spot for the third consecutive week.

The Cardinals secured all eight first place votes for the second straight week, accumulating 280 points in the Poll. Regional rival Washington University in Saint Louis retained its spot as the nation's second ranked squad with 266 points, sharing the honor with Allegheny College (Pa.).  The State University of New York-Geneseo is fourth with 257 points with Saint Lawrence University rounding out the top five, accumulating 246 points to make a three-spot jump in the rankings.

College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin rival Augustana College moved up one spot to 13th with 178 points and is the only other conference squad represented in the Top 35.

North Central's top squad finished second in the Gold Division at last Friday's Notre Dame Invitational while the rest of the team secured top honors at the Carthage Invitational.

Michael Spain won the individual title at the Notre Dame Invitational, finishing the 8,000-meter course in 24:41, earning him CCIW Co-Runner of the Week accolades. At Carthage, Jon Kaufmann won the race by a 10-second margin as four of the top five finishers hailed from North Central.

The Cardinals return to action on Friday at 3:30 p.m., competing at the Benedictine Invitational in Lisle, Ill.