BLOG 3: Cross Country Fights into National Rankings At 19th

By Sandy Gholston

BIG RAPIDS – Don’t look now, but Ferris State University’s women’s cross country team has grabbed some national love from the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association.

In the USTFCCCA Division II Rankings, Ferris was ranked 19th in the nation and was one of three Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference teams to earn a spot in the poll. The Bulldogs were joined by league rivals Grand Valley State, slotted third, and Northern Michigan, at 20th.

Ferris, under the direction of first-year interim head coach Steve Picucci, also is ranked third in the Midwest Region, according to another USTFCCCA poll (behind GVSU and Southern Indiana).

The nationally-ranked Bulldogs get an opportunity to showcase their strength for the home fans as the women’s and men’s squads host the Bulldog Invitational on Friday (Sept. 19) at Katke Golf Course in Big Rapids. It’s the first of two meets Ferris hosts at home as the Bulldogs also will host the NCAA Division II Midwest Regional Championships on Nov. 8, at Katke.

The Bulldogs now have to fight to remain as injury-free as possible (not always easy in cross country as stress injuries can oftentimes wreak havoc) in these early stages of the season to be ready to peak when the GLIAC Championships (Oct. 25 in Sault Ste. Marie) and the regional roll around in late October and early November.

If you have any questions, ideas or comments feel free to contact Sandy Gholston at sgholston2@netzero.com