For the first time in the history of the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) National Coaches’ Poll, the Shocker men’s cross country team earned a national ranking, coming in at No. 24 in the week five poll.
The men also moved up to No. 4 in the USTFCCCA Midwest Region rankings, passing Tulsa to claim its highest Midwest Region ranking in program history.
Prior to the national coaches’ poll, the last time the Shocker men were featured on a national list, the team placed 26th at the 1975 NCAA Cross Country Championships. Wichita State also finished 17th in 1974, 18th in 1973 and recorded its best team finish in 1971, placing 14th.
The Shockers compete in the American Conference Championships on Saturday, Oct. 31 in New Orleans. The NCAA Midwest Regional is Nov. 13 in Ames, Iowa.