LCSC men’s and women’s cross country teams remain steady in polls

10-17-07

The Lewis-Clark State College men’s and women’s cross country teams remained steady in the latest NAIA Top 25 polls, which were released on Wednesday. 

The Warrior men slipped one spot to No. 8, one spot ahead of Eastern Oregon, which came it at No. 9. The women’s team stayed at No. 17 for the fourth week in a row. 

Both teams will take part in LCSC’s only home meet of the season, the LCSC Invitational, on Saturday at Lewiston’s Hells Gate State Park. The women’s 4 kilometer race begins at 10:30 a.m., followed by the men’s 8 kilometer race at 11:15 a.m. Joining LCSC will be the other four Frontier Conference cross country teams – Westminster, Great Falls, Rocky Mountain, and Carroll – along with Whitworth, Blackfeet Community College, and Flathead Valley Community College.  

LCSC coach Mike Collins is looking for a big week from both squads. The women need a good showing to remain ranked because the rankings determine at-large berths to nationals. If the season ended today, LCSC would receive an at-large berth. Collins, however, warns things could change quickly because the final poll comes out after the Region I race next month in Olympia. 

“The scary part for us is that we have two very good teams right behind us in the poll with College of Idaho at No. 18, Eastern Oregon at No. 19, and Corban, which has received votes and finished one spot in front of us last year in the regional race,” Collins says.  “The team knows this and should be very focused in taking care of business at regionals.” 

For the second straight meet, LCSC will be without freshman Jessie Gulsvig, who is recovering from an injury. Collins says she should be back to full speed by the regional meet. 

On the men’s side, LCSC swapped places with California State-San Marcos in the poll as LCSC is just three points behind. LCSC also is eight points behind the No. 6 team. 

“However, very similar to the women, there are a bevy of other top-notch regional teams in the rankings starting with Eastern Oregon at  NO. 9, Southern Oregon at No. 16, College of Idaho at No. 20, and Simon Fraser at No. 23,” Collins says.  “The men are looking forward to racing at home this weekend.  The race is not likely to be as competitive as in the past, but we want to post some fast times and protect the home course.”