CMS Women's Cross Country Moves into Top 10 in Latest USTFCCCA National Poll

CLAREMONT, Calif. - The Claremont-Mudd-Scripps women's cross country team moved up five spots to No. 9 in the latest national NCAA Division III poll, which was released today by the United States Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA).

The Athenas began the year ranked No. 14 in the preseason poll and were second in the West Region, but moved up to the top spot in the region and the top 10 nationally after a pair of strong performances in its first two meets. CMS opened with a third-place finish at the Biola Invitational (behind only UC San Diego and CSU San Marcos) and then came in sixth out of 19 at the UC Riverside Invitational in a field that was almost entirely comprised of Division I and Division II programs. 

CMS also showcased its strong depth so far this season, as junior Dulcie Jones, first-year Isabella Brusco and junior Abigail Johnson were the top three finishers in the first meet. At UC Riverside, meanwhile, sophomore Riley Harmon paced the CMS pack, followed by Jones and sophomore Sophie Gitlin. Harmon's time also moved her into the top 10 in CMS history in any 6K race (21:37.07), while Jones moved up to No. 18 and Gitlin to No. 20. 

The Athenas will be back in action this weekend when they travel to CSU San Bernardino to take place in the Coyote Challenge, beginning at 8 a.m.

To view the complete USTFCAA Division III national poll, head to the following link:

USTFCAA DIII Poll