By Robert McKinney, Athletics Communications Director, (503) 370-6110

SALEM, ORE. -- The Willamette University men's cross country team moved up one spot to #14 in this week's NCAA Division III National Coaches Poll, released by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) on Wednesday, Oct. 20. The Bearcat men's team also holds the #1 ranking in the West Region. The WU women's cross country team is ranked #4 in the West Region.

North Central College (Illinois) is still the #1 team in the men's national poll with all eight first place votes and 280 points. Allegheny College (Pa.) advanced one spot to #2 this week and has 272 points in the poll.

SUNY Geneseo (N.Y.) also moved up one position and is ranked #3 with 259 points. Calvin College (Mich.) jumped four spots to #4 with 252 points, while Haverford College (Pa.) move up a single spot to #5 with 249 points.

St. Lawrence University (N.Y.) holds the #6 ranking with 246 points, while New York University is #7 with 223 points. University of Wisconsin-Platteville is ranked #8 with 220 points after making a big jump from #16 a week ago. Washington University (Mo.) fell seven spots and is now #9 with 218 points. University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point is ranked #10 at 209 points.

Willamette is the first of four West Region teams in the men's national poll. Claremont-Mudd-Scripps (Calif.) is listed at #22, Colorado College follows at #23 and Whitworth University is ranked #35.

In the West Region men's rankings, Willamette remains in the top spot. Claremont-Mudd-Scripps holds the #2 ranking and Colorado College is #3. Whitworth is ranked #4, while Lewis & Clark College is ranked #5.

The West Region is led by Claremont-Mudd-Scripps in the women's rankings. CMS is followed by Lewis & Clark, which advanced one spot to take over the #2 ranking. Whitworth dropped one position and is now #3. Willamette is ranked #4 and Whittier College (Calif.) is listed at #5.

Willamette University will compete at the Beaver Classic on Saturday, Oct. 23 at Avery Park in Corvallis, Ore. The meet will be hosted by Oregon State University. Action is set to get underway at 9:45 a.m.