ELLENSBURG, Wash. – Following Women's Cross Country's strong performances throughout the season, the team earned #26 in the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) Women's National Poll. This marks the first time since 2015 that they have been ranked in the top 30. The team recently competed at the Lewis Crossover, which is the largest Division II-specific meet in the country, made up of teams from all eight regions of the country. There, they beat four of the five Great Northwest Athletic Conference (GNAC) opponents and defeated two nationally ranked teams over the weekend, with Saginaw Valley State holding down #26 at the time and University of Findlay at #16. This was good enough to bolster them into the top 30 in the nation, and from eighth to fifth in the USTFCCCA West Region Rankings thanks to fast runs from the likes of Maddy Harrison, Payton Conover, Dawn Hulstedt, Hannah Pidduck and Lillian Neff.
 
QUOTING CWU ASSISTANT CROSS COUNTRY COACH MATT LAYTEN:
 
"Proud of our women's distance squad! This is a nice moment for them as they get recognized as a national top 30 program this week for their hard work they put in over the last few years. They have come a long way, and we know we have a lot more to accomplish this year, but it is a fun moment to pause and reflect on how much they've achieved. They are as tough as they come, and not only are they incredibly hard workers, but they are amazing students and amazing people. I know that they are excited to see what kind of runners they are capable of being as we continue through the year."