By Sara Elcano, Assistant Athletics Communications Director

SALEM, ORE. -- The Willamette University men's cross country team is currently ranked #29 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, Nov. 3. The Bearcat men's team also holds the #4 ranking in the West Region. The WU women's cross country team is ranked #4 in the West Region.

The top six teams in the poll did not change positions from the previous poll. 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.) continues to rank #2 and has 272 points in the poll.

SUNY Geneseo (N.Y.) is ranked #3 with 263 points. Calvin College (Mich.) continues to be ranked #4 with 255 points, while Haverford College (Pa.) is #5 with 249 points.

In the West Region men's rankings, Willamette remains in #4. Whitworth University holds the #1 ranking after winning the Northwest Conference Championship on Saturday, Oct. 30. Colorado College is #2. Claremont-Mudd-Scripps is ranked #3, while Lewis & Clark College maintained their #5 ranking.

The West Region is led by Claremont-Mudd-Scripps in the women's rankings. CMS is followed by Lewis & Clark. The Pioneers captured the Northwest Conference Championship on Oct. 30. Whitworth and Willamette continued to be ranked #3 and #4. Whitman College rounds out the top five at #5.

The cross country team will compete at the NCAA West Regional on Saturday, Nov. 13. The Bearcats are hosting the event this year in Bush Park. The first race will begin at 11 a.m. (PST).