NEW ORLEANS – The Slippery Rock University women's cross country team jumped three spots to No. 15 in the first regular season NCAA Division II poll released by the U.S. Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association Wednesday.

The Rock, ranked 18th in nation and third in the Atlantic Region in the preseason rankings, moved up to No. 15 nationally and No. 2 in the region after the first two races of the season.

Slippery Rock posted wins in each of its first two meets, claiming the team title at the Sea Gull Invitational at Salisbury, Md. and cruising to a win in the SRU Quad meet.

Crystal Burnick won both of those races in convincing fashion with no runners coming within a minute of her times each week.

The Rock's top runner from last season, All-American Jen Harpp, has yet to race this season and will join the team later in the year.

Adams State tops the national rankings, followed by Grand Valley State, Alaska Anchorage, Shippensburg and Chico State rounding out the top-five.

The Rock will rest this weekend before hosting the SRU Invitational at Cooper's Lake Campground Oct. 2.


NCAA Division II Women's Cross Country Ranking – Regular Season #1

1 Adams State
2 Grand Valley State
3 Alaska Anchorage
4 Shippensburg
5 Chico State
6 Minnesota Duluth
7 Western Washington
8 Western State
9 Tampa
10 Ferris State
11 Augustana (S.D.)
12 Southern Indiana
13 Truman State
14 Midwestern State
15 Slippery Rock
16 Missouri Southern
17 Stonehill
18 Kutztown
19 Edinboro
20 Dallas Baptist
21 U-Mary
22 Pittsburg State
23 Columbus State
24 Southern Connecticut
25 Queens (N.C.)