LOGAN, Utah – Utah State's men's cross country team broke into the NCAA Division I Men's Cross Country National Coaches' Poll, which was released Wednesday by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA).
The Aggies garnered 55 points and are ranked No. 27. USU is one of just two Mountain West teams ranked in the top 30 as Colorado State checks in at No. 24, down three spots.
Mountain Region-rival BYU took over the top spot in this week's poll, meaning there is a new No. 1 program for the first time since Week 2 of the 2016 season, which ends a 32-week run at the top by Northern Arizona.
Arkansas held steady at No. 3 for another week, while Tulsa moved up one spot from No. 5 to No. 4. Oklahoma State moved into the top five for just the second time in the past five years.
Utah State returns to action when the Aggies travel to Tallahassee, Fla., to compete in the Florida State Winter Cross Country Classic at Apalachee Region Park (site of the 2021 NCAA fall cross country championships) on Friday, Feb. 5.
The Aggies kicked off their 2020-21 campaign by sweeping the Dixie State Invitational on Jan. 23, at The Golf Course at Sand Hollow Resort in Hurricane, Utah. In the men's 8-kilometer race,
Camren Todd officially made his Utah State cross country debut by placing first with a time of 23:40.5 to help the Aggies capture the team title with 31 points.
For his efforts in the race, Todd was named been named the USTFCCCA Division I Men's National Athlete of the Week.
In the women's 6K race, USU junior
Mica Rivera claimed second with a time of 20:43.4, while senior
Katie Haviland (20:48.1) took fourth to help the Aggies garner 42 points to capture the title. For her efforts at the Dixie State Invite, Rivera was tabbed the Mountain West Women's Cross Country Athlete of the Week.
The rescheduled 2020 NCAA Division I Cross Country Championships will be held on Monday, March 15, in Stillwater, Okla.
Fans can follow the Utah State track & field and cross country programs at twitter.com/USUTF_XC, on Facebook at USUTrack and on Instagram at instagram.com/USUTF_XC. Aggie fans can also follow the Utah State athletic program at twitter.com/USUAthletics or on Facebook at Utah State University Athletics.
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