[ By STEVE CARPENTER ]
[ BLUE DRAGON SPORTS INFORMATION ]
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The Hutchinson Community College men’s and women’s cross country team added another milestone to its 2018 season on Wednesday with the announcement of the first United States Track and Field & Cross Country Coaches Association NJCAA Division I rankings of the season.
For the first time in 16 years, both Blue Dragon cross country teams are ranked in the Top 10 at the same time.
The men are ranked No. 5 in the first rankings of the season. The women start out at No. 6.
The last time both Hutch men and women were ranked in the Top 10 was 2002 when the Blue Dragon men were No. 7 and the women were No. 10.
Hutchinson’s men have won two team titles this season, which is the first time since 2000 that has happened. The Dragons won the Terry Masterson Twilight Classic and then placed six runners in the Top 10 at the Missouri Southern Stampede last weekend in Joplin, Missouri.
The Blue Dragon men are the second-highest ranked Jayhawk Conference team in the Top 10. Cloud County is No. 3 in the first rankings, followed by Hutchinson at No. 5, Allen at No. 7, Colby at No. 13 and Cowley at No. 16. Central Arizona is the No. 1-ranked team in the first regular-season rankings. Iowa Central is No. 2.
This is the Hutch men’s first Top 10 national rankings appearance since 2013 when the Blue Dragons started No. 8 in the nation.
The Hutchinson women knocked on the door of a Top 10 ranking last season, climbing as high as No. 12. The last time Hutchinson was ranked in the Top 10 was a No. 7 national ranking in 2004.
The Blue Dragons have one team championship to their credit this season, the Terry Masterson Twilight Classic. Hutchinson finished fourth at the Missouri Southern Stampede last weekend.
Lisayo Ewoi broke Ruth Limo’s 17-year record at the Stampede last weekend with a Blue Dragon-best 18:29.1.
The Blue Dragons will next run at the Emporia State Invitational on Saturday, October 6.
USTFCCCA/NJCAA DIVISION I CROSS COUNTRY RANKINGS
MEN
1. Central Arizona
2. Iowa Central
3. Cloud County
4. El Paso
5. Hutchinson
6. South Plains
7. Allen
8. Trinidad State
9. Southern Idaho
10. Louisburg
11. Lansing
12. Hawkeye
13. Colby
14. Ranger
15. Waubonsee
16. Cowley
17. North Iowa Area
17. Mesa
19. Grand Rapids
20. Indian Hills
Women
1. Iowa Central
2. El Paso
3. Cowley
4. Central Arizona
5. South Plains
6. Hutchinson
7. Allen
8. Southern Idaho
9. Pratt
10. Highland
11. Mesa
11. Trinidad State
13. Hawkeye
14. North Iowa Area
15. Lansing
16. Pasco-Hernando
17. Pima
18. Dodge City
19. Monroe
20. Macomb