Posted: October 4, 2005

Athletics: Arkansas Takes Over No. 1 Ranking

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – For the first time in five years the Razorback cross country team is ranked No. 1 in the country. The United States Cross Country Coaches Association (USCCCA) released its poll on Tuesday morning and Arkansas received nine first-place votes and 473 points. The Hogs, winners of 11 NCAA Cross Country titles, are now eight points ahead of their nearest competitor and have established themselves as the team to beat at the NCAA Championships on Nov. 21, in Terre Haute, Ind. “It’s a nice honor and that’s all it is, because the rankings don’t mean anything until the end of the year,” Arkansas head coach John McDonnell said. “That’s the ranking I like, to be No. 1 at the end of the season. We take it as an honor when the coaches give us that many votes out of respect for our program.”

Former top-ranked and last year’s NCAA runner-up Wisconsin slipped to No. 2 with seven first-place nods and 465 points. Colorado, the defending national champion, stayed at third with 461 points. After not being ranked, Southeastern Conference opponent Florida joined the Razorbacks in the top 30, by jumping into the 13th spot. Arkansas and Texas (No. 9) remained the only two teams from the South Central Region to be nationally ranked.

“Wisconsin is still an awfully good team with strong guys and Colorado is the defending NCAA champion,” McDonnell said. “We’re listed with good company and it will be a lot of fun of front during nationals.” The 2005 season has seen Arkansas steadily climb the rankings. In the Sept. 13 preseason poll the Hogs debuted at No. 3 and stayed there for an additional week. After a dominating performance against talented northeastern teams at Iona College’s Meet of Champions UA was moved up to No. 2. This past weekend in Stillwater, Okla., Arkansas sent only six competitors to run in the Cowboy Jamboree, but still easily won the team title and showed it deserved to be at the top.

UA’s outstanding team performances are a credit to the program’s impressive depth. This year Arkansas has two returning All-American seniors, Josphat Boit and Marc Rodrigues. Junior Peter Kosgei has yet to make his Razorback debut on the trails, but is considered an important factor after he had phenomenal track seasons. In the October issue of Track & Field News the Kapsabet, Kenya native was predicted to win the individual national title. Boit, who finished third in 2004, was picked to come in fifth place. In addition to that terrific trio, Arkansas can also count on the skills of sophomore Shawn Forrest, who has been the squad’s top finisher in two meets this fall. Junior Seth Summerside has come on strong as of late, picking up league accolades for his performance at the Missouri Southern Stampede. Adding valuable leadership and experience to the mix is junior Adam Perkins, who has been a part of the scoring five each time he competes. Three gifted true freshmen, including Chris Barnicle, Kenny Cormier and Scott MacPherson have made an immediate impact during their first month as Hogs. Barnicle and Cormier have taken turns being UA’s third man in the past two meets, while MacPherson posted a quality opening in New York. The Hogs will take this week off to prepare for the Chile Pepper Invitational on Oct. 15. The 10K race is set to start at 9:30 a.m. at the Razorback Cross Country Course on Agri Park and will feature other nationally ranked teams such as Arizona (No. 6) and UTEP (No. 11).

MONDO Men’s NCAA Cross Country Poll

Ranking	Team (First Place Votes)	Points
1	Arkansas (9)	473
2	Wisconsin (7)	465
3	Colorado	461
4	BYU	420
5	Stanford	415
6	Arizona	412
7	Notre Dame	382
8	Iona College	365
9	Texas	320
10	Cal Poly San Luis Obispo	317
11	UTEP	289
12	Georgetown	276
13	Florida	258
14	Iowa	250
15	William & Mary	232
16	Portland	223
17	Florida State	220
18	Ohio State	206
19	Michigan	175
20	Minnesota	150
21	Indiana	143
22	Dartmouth	137
23	North Carolina State	132
24	Washington	116
25	American	105
26	Air Force	99
27	Arizona State	78
28	Kansas	70
29	Virginia	65
30	Colorado State	38

South Central Region Poll