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

SALEM, ORE. -- Following a solid performance at the Pier Park Invitational on Sept. 10, the Willamette University men's cross country team retained its #17 ranking in this week's NCAA Division III Men's Cross Country National Coaches' Poll. Willamette also held the #17 position in the Preseason Poll.

The top four teams remained the same from the Preseason Poll, which was released about two weeks ago. Washington University (Mo.), stayed at the top of the poll by the slimmest of margins with four first place votes and 273 points. North Central College (Illinois) continued to hold the #2 ranking, but pulled within a point of Washington. NCC received three first place votes and 272 points.

Allegheny College (Pa.) stayed #3 and received the final first place vote to go with 262 points. Haverford College (Pa.) continued at #4 with 257 points. SUNY Geneseo (N.Y.) advanced one spot to #5 in the poll with 253 points.

New York University was listed at #6 with 233 points, after falling one spot from the Preseason Poll. University of Wisconsin-Platteville kept its spot at #7 in the rankings with 229 points, while Calvin College (Mich.) stayed at #8 with 228 points.

University of Wisconsin-La Crosse and Brandeis University (Mass.) flipped positions in the poll. UW-La Crosse advanced one place to #9 with 213 points in the poll, while Brandeis dropped one position to #10 with 212 points.

Willamette received 14 additional points over the Preseason Poll despite holding at #17. The Bearcats totaled 152 points this week and were just three points behind #16 Grinnell College (Iowa) with 155 points.

Claremont-Mudd-Scripps (Calif.) continued to be the top ranked team from the West Region, as CMS remained #14 in the poll. Joining CMS and Willamette from the West Region was Colorado College, tied for #21.

In the West Region Rankings, the Willamette men's team is #2 behind Claremont-Mudd-Scripps. Colorado College is #3, Whitworth University is #4 and Pomona-Pitzer is #5.

Whitworth leads the West Region Women's Rankings. CMS is ranked #2, followed by Lewis & Clark College at #3 and Willamette at #4. Pomona-Pitzher holds the #5 ranking.

The Bearcats will host their first home meet of the season, the Willamette Grass Course, on Friday, Sept. 17 at 12 p.m. (PDT). The event will be held at Bush's Pasture Park in Salem, Ore.