NEW ORLEANS, La. – Four BIG EAST women’s cross country teams and three men’s teams rank among the top 30 in the nation according to the latest USTFCCCA Coaches’ Poll released on Oct. 5. Last week had impressive performances by the top women’s teams in the BIG EAST while a new squad moved into the polls on the men’s side.
 
Three BIG EAST women’s teams rank in the top 10 in the country, beginning with No. 1 Villanova. The Wildcats lived up to their No. 1 ranking with a first-place finish at the very competitive Notre Dame Invitational on Oct. 1. Villanova had three runners finish in the top seven to help the squad cruise to the victory with 64 points, well ahead of second-place Oregon who had 118 points.
 
Georgetown bumped up one spot to No. 5 after winning the Paul Short Run at Lehigh on Oct. 2. The Hoyas were dominant, placing seven runners in the top 20 to take the victory. Syracuse also received a boost in the polls, moving to No. 7 after winning the Wisconsin adidas Invitational on Oct. 2, making it three BIG EAST teams placing first in their respective meets. The Orange had four runners in the top 20 to beat out 20 other schools at the meet. Providence was idle this week and stands at No. 16. Notre Dame is just outside the top 30, receiving six votes.
 
On the men’s side, Syracuse remains the top-ranked BIG EAST squad at No. 14 after a fourth-place finish at the Wisconsin adidas Invitational on Oct. 2. Junior Steve Weeks led the Orange with a 14th-place finish of 212 runners. Georgetown jumped up two spots to No. 22 after a strong showing at the Paul Short Run at Lehigh on Oct. 2, finishing second. Seniors Ayalew Taye and T.C. Lumbar both finished in the top 20 to lead the charge for the Hoyas.
 
Notre Dame is the new face in polls on the men’s side, entering at No. 28 after taking seventh at the Notre Dame Invitational on Oct. 1. Senior Dan Jackson was the top finisher for the Irish, crossing the line in 24:13. Villanova and Providence are both receiving votes on the men’s side.