Oklahoma State University Athletics
Cowboys Ranked No. 2 in USTFCCCA Preseason Coaches Poll
August 31, 2022 | Cowboy Cross Country & Track
STILLWATER – The Oklahoma State men's and women's cross country teams have been ranked No. 2 and No. 4, respectively, in the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) preseason national coaches poll, it was announced today.
The Cowboys received one first-place vote in the rankings after their third-place finish at the 2021 NCAA Cross Country Championships in Tallahassee, Fla. The No. 2 overall ranking is the highest preseason ranking for the Cowboys since 2013, when they were ranked first to start the season.
Since Dave Smith took over the men's cross country program in 2006, they have been ranked in every single USTFCCCA preseason poll, including six-straight top-2 preseason rankings from 2008-2013.
The Cowgirls' No. 4 ranking is tied with the 2006 team for the highest USTFCCCA preseason ranking in program history dating back to 1995. Since Smith took over the women's program in 2009, the Cowgirls have been ranked in 11 of the last 14 preseason polls.
On the men's side, the Cowboys enter the 2022 season with four returning cross country All-Americans: 2021 All-Americans Shea Foster, Isai Rodriguez, Victor Shitsama and 2020 All-American Alex Maier. The 2021 Big 12 Champions are hot off back-to-back third-place finishes at the NCAA Cross Country Championships and are looking to take the next step with the championships back on their home course.
The Cowgirls also enter the 2022 season hot off a Big 12 Championship as they return cross country All-Americans Molly Born, Taylor Roe and outdoor 10K All-American Gabby Hentemann to the squad. They also add a deep and talented freshman class to the mix, including high school national champion Natalie Cook and three-time Oklahoma 6A state champion Payton Hinkle in search of the program's first podium finish at the NCAA Championships.
Both teams kick off their seasons on Thursday, Sept. 1, in the Cowboy Preview at the state-of-the-art Greiner Family OSU Cross Country Course starting at 8 a.m. CT.
Results for the meet will be posted live during the race at the link below.
https://live.athletic.net/meets/17861
For more information on the Cowboys and Cowgirls, continue to check back with okstate.com.
The Cowboys received one first-place vote in the rankings after their third-place finish at the 2021 NCAA Cross Country Championships in Tallahassee, Fla. The No. 2 overall ranking is the highest preseason ranking for the Cowboys since 2013, when they were ranked first to start the season.
Since Dave Smith took over the men's cross country program in 2006, they have been ranked in every single USTFCCCA preseason poll, including six-straight top-2 preseason rankings from 2008-2013.
The Cowgirls' No. 4 ranking is tied with the 2006 team for the highest USTFCCCA preseason ranking in program history dating back to 1995. Since Smith took over the women's program in 2009, the Cowgirls have been ranked in 11 of the last 14 preseason polls.
On the men's side, the Cowboys enter the 2022 season with four returning cross country All-Americans: 2021 All-Americans Shea Foster, Isai Rodriguez, Victor Shitsama and 2020 All-American Alex Maier. The 2021 Big 12 Champions are hot off back-to-back third-place finishes at the NCAA Cross Country Championships and are looking to take the next step with the championships back on their home course.
The Cowgirls also enter the 2022 season hot off a Big 12 Championship as they return cross country All-Americans Molly Born, Taylor Roe and outdoor 10K All-American Gabby Hentemann to the squad. They also add a deep and talented freshman class to the mix, including high school national champion Natalie Cook and three-time Oklahoma 6A state champion Payton Hinkle in search of the program's first podium finish at the NCAA Championships.
Both teams kick off their seasons on Thursday, Sept. 1, in the Cowboy Preview at the state-of-the-art Greiner Family OSU Cross Country Course starting at 8 a.m. CT.
Results for the meet will be posted live during the race at the link below.
https://live.athletic.net/meets/17861
For more information on the Cowboys and Cowgirls, continue to check back with okstate.com.
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