First Time in Program History Alabama Women’s Cross Country Ranks No. 1 in South Region
2/3/2021 11:19:00 AM | Track & Field, Cross Country
Crimson Tide earns the No. 13 spot in National Coaches’ Poll on Wednesday
NEW ORLEANS, La. – For the first time in program history the Alabama women’s cross country program is ranked No. 1 in the south region and No. 13 in the National Coaches’ Poll, the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association announced Wednesday.
The Crimson Tide finished second to Arkansas with 57 points at the Southeastern Conference Championships for the team’s best finish since 1994. Alabama placed three women in the top-10, including individual champion Mercy Chelangat, who covered the 6K course in 19:46.5 to become the program’s first individual SEC Champion since 1993. Esther Gitahi and Jami Reed were the other top-10 finishers with their fifth and sixth place showings.
Behind the Ranking
- The Tide climbed up six spots after finishing the fall at No. 19 in the national polls
- The last time Alabama was ranked in the top-15 in the nation was at the end of the 1994 season when UA finished as high No. 14
- Alabama is one of a pair of SEC teams to be ranked in this week's poll with Arkansas receiving its eighth consecutive No. 1 ranking
- The No. 1 ranking in the south region marks the program’s first time earning the number one slot
The rescheduled 2020 NCAA Division I Cross Country Championships will be held on Monday, March 15 in Stillwater, Okla.
For all the latest information on the team, follow AlabamaTrack on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. General athletic news can be found @UA_Athletics on Twitter and Instagram and Alabama Athletics on Facebook.
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— Alabama Track & Field (@AlabamaTrack) February 2, 2021
First time women's cross country has been ranked No. 1 in the @USTFCCCA South Region #RollTide pic.twitter.com/Ei65CNUX9a
Jumping up to #?1?3? in the nation.
— Alabama Track & Field (@AlabamaTrack) February 3, 2021
1?st time since 1993!
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