NEW ORLEANS – With the 2018 cross country season starting this week, the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) has released its first set of regional and national rankings.
Nationally, the Penn State women check in at No. 12 in the land, while the men's program is receiving votes. Regionally, the three-time defending Mid-Atlantic Champion Penn State women sit atop the poll, while the men's team is No. 5.
The USTFCCCA Women's Cross Country National Coaches' Poll features seven Big Ten teams: No. 7 Wisconsin, No. 12 Penn State, No. 13 Michigan, No. 15 Michigan State, No. 21 Indiana, No. 24 Minnesota, and No. 29 Ohio State.
The USTFCCCA Men's Cross Country National Coaches' Poll features three Big Ten teams: No. 11 Wisconsin, No. 22 Michigan State, and No. 26 Michigan.
The Nittany Lions begin the 2018 season under fifth-year head coach John Gondak on Friday, Aug. 31, at the Lock Haven Dolan Duals. The meet is slated for a 5 p.m. start at the West Branch Cross Country Course in Lock Haven, Pennsylvania.