By Eric Spresser, Student Assistant Athletics Communications Director

SALEM, Ore. -- Willamette University's Men's Cross Country team jumped one position to #32 in the latest NCAA Division III National Coaches' Poll released by the United States Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA). 

The Bearcats advanced in the poll after racing well this past weekend in the AAE Invitational at the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh. In one of the largest NCAA Division III meets in the nation, Willamette's men, led by a 17th place finish from Nathan Conrad (Sr., Bothell, WA/ Bothell HS), finished 13th out of 45 Division III teams competing in the meet.

The race was held at Lake Breeze Golf Course, which will also be the site of the NCAA Division III National Championships, scheduled for Nov. 21.

In the new men's national rankings, the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire continued to be ranked #1 for the third straight week, after receiving all eight first place votes and 280 points. Making the jump from #7 in last week's rankings to #2 this week was Williams College (Mass.) with 265 points.

Holding steady at #3 this week was North Central College (Ill.) with 264 points. St. Olaf College (Minn.) remained at #4 with 260 points while Amherst College (Mass.) slipped down from #2 to #5 with 250 points.

SUNY Geneseo (N.Y.) continued to sit at #6 with 241 points, while St. Lawrence University (N.Y.) jumped up 6 spots from #13 all the way to #7 with 230 points. Haverford College (Pa.) moved up one position into a tie at #8 with University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, as both teams received 220 points. Hopping up two spots to #10 in this week's rankings was Massachusetts Institute of Technology with 205 points.

While moving up one spot in the national rankings, the Bearcat men held steady in the West Region rankings, remaining at #3 behind #1 Claremont-Mudd Scripps (Calif.) and #2 Pomona-Pitzer (Calif.).

Following the Bearcats were fellow Northwest Conference foes University of Puget Sound at #4 and Whitman College at #5. Other NWC teams in the West Region rankings were Linfield College at #7 and Whitworth University at #8. 

The Bearcats will rest this weekend and look ahead to their next meet which is the NWC Championships at Pacific Lutheran University on Saturday, Oct. 31. The meet is scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. (PDT) at PLU South Park in Parkland, Washington.