PROVIDENCE, R.I. - The U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) announced its first poll of 2009 and the BIG EAST boasts nine total selections in the men's and women's top 30. No. 4 West Virginia and No. 5 Villanova maintained their preseason slot and head a group of six women's teams in the poll. No. 10 Georgetown, No. 15 Providence College and No. 28 Notre Dame are the three men's teams represented in the top 30.

On the women's side, West Virginia was idle this week but Villanova opened its season on Sept. 24 at the Main Line Invitational, and while the meet was non-scoring, the Wildcats occupied the top seven places and nine of the top 13.

No. 24 Notre Dame women, who moved up five spots in this week's poll, will host an invitational this weekend and welcomes tough competition in No. 1 Washington and No. 3 Florida State.

No. 12 Providence women maintained its preseason ranking and Syracuse moved up two spots to No. 21. The BIG EAST is one of only two conferences (Big Ten) to have six teams ranked among the women's top 30.

For the men, Providence moved up one spot to No. 15 in the poll after its victory at the Ted Owen Invitational in New Britain, Conn. Georgetown and Notre Dame each slipped one spot, while Villanova is still receiving votes. Syracuse is also receiving votes this week.

The next USTFCCA Regional Coaches' Poll will be released on Oct. 6.