By Robert McKinney, Athletics Communications Director

SALEM, Ore. -- The Willamette University cross country teams remain ranked in the West Region of NCAA Division III this week according to the United States Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA). Both of Willamette's teams retained their previous ranking, with the men's team listed at #3 in the West Region and the women's team listed at #5.

Pomona-Pitzer (Calif.) continued to be #1 in the West Region men's rankings, while Claremont-Mudd-Scripps (Calif.) kept its hold on the #2 position. All of the Top 10 in the West Region remained the same, with Willamette at #3, Whitman College at #4 and Occidental College (Calif.) at #5.

Whittier College stayed at #6, with Lewis & Clark College at #7, Pacific Lutheran University at #8, George Fox University at #9 and University of Puget Sound at #10. For the second consecutive week, seven of the 10 teams in the men's rankings were Northwest Conference members.

Pomona-Pitzer is ranked #5 in the men's NCAA Division III National Rankings. CMS holds the #7 national ranking .

The West Region women's rankings also remained the same. Claremont-Mudd-Scripps owned the #1 spot, with Whitworth University at #2 and Colorado College at #3. Pomona-Pitzer was #4, with Willamette at #5. University of California, Santa Cruz followed at #6. Occidental was listed at #7, while University of Redlands (Calif.) was #8, Lewis & Clark was #9 and George Fox University was #10.

Four women's teams from the NWC were listed this week in the West Region rankings.

In the women's NCAA Division III National Rankings, Claremont-Mudd-Scripps is #7. Whitworth is ranked #26, Colorado College is #27 and Pomona-Pitzer is tied for #33.

The Bearcats will host the 42nd Annual Charles Bowles Willamette Invitational on Saturday, Oct. 1 at Bush's Pasture Park. The first of four races is set to begin at 9:30 a.m. (PDT).