Tide Men's Cross Country 11th in Latest Poll
11/1/2005 12:00:00 AM
 |
|
Due to their success at the SEC Championship this past weekend, the University of Alabama men’s cross country team has jumped to 11th in the latest USCCCA Top 25.
The Tide posted a second place finish at the SEC Championships in Columbia, South Carolina over the weekend, defeating then-eighth ranked Florida in the process. Alabama has claimed two meet victories this season and finished seventh and fourth respectively in two of the country’s biggest meets prior to last week’s SEC results.
“I’m sure the team will be pleased with the new ranking coming off the SEC Championships. We’ve talked about getting our program into the top 15 in the country and it’s nice to see us really coming together at the right time,” said Coach Joe Walker. “To go from 31 to 20 to now 11 over the past month can be attributed to the guys deciding that they were better than anyone was giving them credit for. We are definitely starting to run like we are capable; we knew that we would be better later in the season rather than earlier. We’ve still got some work to do to make the NCAA championships and hopefully represent the South Region well.”
Alabama has been led all season by freshman Augustus Maiyo, who has been the top finisher in all meets for the Tide. He finished second at the conference meet earning All-SEC honors.
“We know we had a very talented young group of people. The great thing about what they’ve done so far is they’ve done an excellent job of being consistent,” said head coach Harvey Glance. “I’ve always thought to be a ranked program, whether it’s cross country, indoor or outdoor, you’ve got to show some consistency and the ability to compete at big meets.”
The No. 11 ranking is the highest for the Tide since Glance took over the track and field and cross country program nine years ago.
Bama also checks in as the top ranked team in the South Region according to the USCCCA regional rankings.
Alabama will take this week off before heading to Gainesville, Florida for the NCAA South Region Championships on Saturday, November 12.
