UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – The Penn State women's cross country program has been ranked No. 15 in the initial NCAA Division I Women's Cross Country National Coaches' Poll of the season released on Tuesday by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA). The men's program also received votes on the initial NCAA Division I Men's Cross Country National Coaches' Poll.
The Nittany Lion women's program is coming off their fifth consecutive Top-20 finish at the NCAA Cross Country Championship in 2019. Penn State is one of just seven schools to finish in the Top-20 at each of the last five NCAA Cross Country Championships.
The Penn State women's program has claimed four of the last five NCAA Mid-Atlantic Regional titles, including their most recent title in 2019. Head Coach John Gondak was named the NCAA Mid-Atlantic Regional Coach of the Year for the fourth time in the last five years last season.
Penn State has been a staple at the women's NCAA Cross Country championships, making appearances at 10 of the last 11 championships and making their 23rd overall appearance in 2019.
The Big Ten Conference had the most schools ranked in the initial NCAA Division I Women's Cross Country Coaches' Poll.
The men's program is coming off the 2019 season that saw three team wins and Alex Tomasko earn all-region honors for the second-straight season at the NCAA Mid-Atlantic Regional.
The men's and women's program both finished in the top-five at the Big Ten Cross Country Championships for the first time since 2010.
The NCAA Division I National Championships have been rescheduled to be held on March 15, 2021. Poll dates are tentative and subject to change and/or additions. Regional rankings are not scheduled to be released.
For more information on Penn State cross country, visit gopsusports.com.