The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
UAB Cross Country Gaining National Recognition
9/13/2006 12:00:00 AM | Women's Cross Country
Sept. 13, 2006
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. ----- Fresh off back-to-back victories in its first two meets of the 2006 season, the UAB cross country team is starting to receive some well-deserved national attention, according to the first 2006 NCAA Division I poll announced by the U.S. Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association.
The Blazers, who won the Belmont Opener two weeks ago as they edged three-time Southeastern Conference champion Tennessee and then last week captured the UAH Invitational title in Huntsville, are among those listed as "other schools receiving votes".
Stanford is ranked No. 1 in the poll, followed by Colorado, Michigan, Oklahoma State and BYU. Despite being defeated by UAB in the Sept. 1 Belmont meet in Nashville, Tennessee is listed at No. 14 in the rankings. Thirty teams were ranked with 15 others among the "others receiving votes" in the initial poll of the season.
UAB and Rice are the only Conference USA schools listed in the poll. This is the first time in school history that the Blazers have been listed in the poll.
"It is exciting for the program to be recognized nationally," said UAB head coach Ray Stanfield. "I think the girls feel like I do. It's nice to be recognized, but now let's move up"
The preseason Regional rankings are also out. Those rankings have UAB at No. 4 with Tennessee, Florida State and Georgia the only schools in front of it.
Here are the top 10 teams listed in the regional rankings: 1. Tennessee; 2. Florida State; 3. Georgia; 4. UAB; 5. Florida; 6. Georgia Tech; 7. Tennessee-Chattanooga; 8. Mississippi State; 9. Belmont; and 10. Vanderbilt.
The Blazers' next competition will be Saturday, Sept. 23 when they run in the Great American Festival here in Birmingham, a meet to be held at Spain Park High School.
