The Gustavus women’s cross country has been recognized by the U.S. Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) as one of the top teams in the Central Region to start the 2010 season. The Gusties are ranked sixth in the first regional poll of 2010.
The MIAC was well represented in the Central Region poll with seven teams ranked in the top ten including Carleton at #2, St .Thomas #3, St. Olaf #5, Gustavus #6, St. Ben’s #8, Concordia #9, and Bethel #10.
According to the USTFCCCA, the rankings are “placed in order by a representative in each region,” and are a “reflection of a team’s strengths entering the year based on returning and new runners on each squad.”
Coach Dale Bahr’s squad returns five of its top six runners from last year’s group that finished sixth at the MIAC Championships and ninth at the NCAA Central Region meet. Returners that scored at the conference and region meet include junior Kim Rostvold, who earned All-Region honors with a 35th place finish at the region meet, junior Danielle Burgmeier, senior Brooke Beskau, and sophomores Kate Eggers, Beth Hauer, and Erica Hett.
The Gusties open their 2010 season with a dual meet against Bethany Lutheran College in Mankato on Wednesday, September 1.