Women's Cross Country No. 5 in Preseason Regional Rankings
9/15/2008 12:00:00 AM
Sept. 15, 2008
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. - The U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association released its 2008 Preseason Division 1 Regional Rankings and the University of Alabama women are picked to finish fifth in the South Region.
"I think people respect some of the talent we've assembled," head coach Randy Hasenbank said. "It still doesn't mean anything at this point. It's just someone's assessment of our team and other teams."
The last time the Tide has finished in the top ten was in 2000 when they finished tenth with a score of 269. Alabama has won three NCAA South Region Championships with the last coming in 1986. The squad did not score any points at last year's South Region Championships and therefore did not earn a finish as a team.
Alabama is ranked in the company of six other SEC schools and all are ranked in the top 8. The ACC is well represented by Florida State at number one, but the next five spots are occupied by members of the SEC.
The 2008 NCAA South Region Cross Country Championships, hosted by The University of Tennessee in Knoxville, Tenn., will be held Nov. 15.
South Women Preseason Rankings 1. Florida State 2. Florida 3. Tennessee 4. Vanderbilt 5. Alabama 6. Georgia 7. UAB 8. Auburn 9. Jacksonville 10. Georgia State 11. Belmont 12. Georgia Tech 13. Chattanooga 14. Florida Atlantic 15. Central Florida
