Oklahoma State University Athletics
Cowboys Top Preseason Cross Country Rankings
August 26, 2013 | Cowboy Cross Country & Track
Aug 26, 2013
STILLWATER -
The Oklahoma State men's cross country team, fresh off winning the 2012 NCAA team title, has earned the Midwest region's No. 1 preseason ranking in the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA), it was announced today.
A year after winning their third NCAA title in four years and fifth-straight Big 12 crown, it was a well-deserved ranking for the Cowboys.
Three cross country All-Americans lead the way for the Cowboys. Tom Farrell (ninth), Shadrack Kipchirchir (18th) and Joseph Manilafasha (24th) were all key to the 2012 team championship with their All-American performances.
Shane Moskowitz and Kirubel Erassa bring more experience from last year's NCAA championships. Oregon transfer Chad Noelle, a sub-four miler and NCAA outdoor qualifier during the track and field season, Craig nowak, the junior 8k U.S. Cross Country champion, and talented freshman Charles Mathenge are among others looking to factor into the mix.
On the women's side, the Cowgirls landed the No. 2 preseason ranking in the Midwest region, after finishing as the Big 12 runner-up.
The key returners from last year's 26th-place finish at nationals are Monika Juodeskaite and Natalja Piliusina, who finished 41st and 50th, individually. Piliusina also has momentum from a record-breaking track and field season, where she won the NCAA title in the outdoor 1,500 meters.
The OSU cross country season begins this Saturday, Aug. 31, with the Tulsa Duels, in Tulsa, Okla.
2013 USTFCCCA Preseason Men's Cross Country Rankings (Midwest Region)
1 Oklahoma State
2 Tulsa
3 Illinois
4 Missouri
5 Kansas
6 Minnesota
7 Oklahoma
8 Iowa State
9 Southern Illinois
10 Loyola-Chicago
11 Iowa
12 South Dakota State
13 South Dakota
14 Wichita State
15 Drake
2013 USTFCCCA Preseason Women's Cross Country Rankings (Midwest Region)
1 Minnesota
2 Oklahoma State
3 Iowa State
4 Tulsa
5 Northwestern
6 North Dakota State
7 Illinois State
8 Saint Louis
9 Illinois
10 Iowa
11 Loyola-Chicago
12 Southern Illinois
13 Kansas State
14 Bradley
15 South Dakota
