Long Beach State University Athletics
USTFCCCA releases preseason cross country rankings
8/29/2011 12:00:00 AM | Cross Country
Aug. 29, 2011
NEW ORLEANS, La. - The U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) released its preseason regional rankings for the NCAA Division I 2011 season today. The Long Beach State men's team was picked at No. 12 in the west region and second in the Big West Conference, while the women's squad was tabbed at No. 13 in regional action and third in conference.
"We are very excited by the polls," distance coach Patrick Cunniff said. "It's a sign that the season is upon us. I think our rankings at the start of the year are a sign of respect for the kids we've had before. It's a testament on how well we've ran at regionals, even more than an evaluation on where our teams are at this point of the year."
Last year, the women's team finished in third-place at the Big West Championships in Riverside, while the men placed fourth. It was the highest finish for both teams as the women's squad recorded second in 2006 and the men's team placed fourth in 2007.
In regional action last season in Springfield, Ore., the men's team finished in 10th as they were the second highest team from the Big West, moving ahead of UC Riverside (second at Big West) and UC Santa Barbara (third at Big West). The 49ers were only eight points from finishing ahead of Big West Champions UC Davis and finished ahead of 15 other schools from the West Region, including Washington State and Arizona.
The women's team placed 11th and was third among schools from the Big West Conference, finishing one point behind UCLA (10th) and 10 points behind Portland (9th). The women finished ahead of 19 other universities from the region, including Arizona State and Oregon State from the Pacific-10 Conference.
"The challenge is for this year's teams is to establish their own accomplishments," Cunniff said. "We've seen so far in the first week of training that it's a group that is willing to work hard and that's a great place to start."
The 49ers open the season this Saturday, Sept. 3, at the Fullerton Season Opener at Carbon Canyon Park in Brea.
USTFCCCA MEN'S CROSS COUNTRY TEAM PRESEASON RANKINGS
West Region
1. Stanford
2. Oregon
3. Portland
4. Arizona State
5. Washington
6. Arizona
7. UCLA
8. Washington
9. Boise State
10. Cal Poly
11. California
12. LONG BEACH STATE
13. UC Davis
14. UC Santa Barbara
15. Idaho
USTFCCCA WOMEN'S CROSS COUNTRY TEAM PRESEAON RANKINGS
West Region
1. Stanford
2. Arizona
3. Washington
4. Oregon
5. California
6. San Francisco
7. Cal Poly
8. Arizona State
9. UCLA
10. UC Davis
11. Loyola Marymount
12. Portland
13. LONG BEACH STATE
14. Idaho
15. Washington State
