Central climbs in men’s cross country regional rankings

Central College

PELLA— Central College jumped one spot in the third week of the regional men’s cross country rankings produced by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association.

The Dutch jumped Iowa Conference rival Loras to claim in at the No. 2 spot in the Central Region after being ranked third for the first two weeks of the season. St. Olaf (Minn.) held onto the top spot, while league competitors Loras, Luther and Wartburg checked in at third, fourth and fifth respectively. Central is also ranked 25th in the USTFCCCA national poll.

The Dutch men have opened their 2012 campaign with a roar. The squad claimed a pair of team titles at their first two meets and took second in a seven-team field at the Grand View Viking Invitational Sept. 21 competing without many of their top runners.

The Dutch will travel to St. Paul, Minn. Saturday for the Roy Griak Invitational. The women’s squad is scheduled to compete at 9 a.m. and the men will race at 10:40 a.m.

“The Griak” is considered one of the premier meets in the country, annually attracting over 3,000 runners for eight collegiate races spanning Division I, II, and III, as well as two high school competitions.

USTFCCCA NCAA Division III

Central Region rankings, Week 3

1. St. Olaf (Minn.)
2. Central
3. Loras
4. Luther
5. Wartburg
6. St. John’s (Minn.)
7. Grinnell
8. Nebraska Wesleyan
9. Carleton (Minn.)
10. Bethel (Minn.)