Iona's Women's Cross Country Team Earn First Ever National Ranking; Stand At No. 19
MAAC Sports
Metairie, LA - The Iona College women's cross country team earned its first ever national ranking cracking the USTFCCCA Division I at No. 19 this week after an unprecedented ninth place finish at the NCAA Pre-National Invitational in Terre Haute, Indiana. The Gaels also moved up to No. 2 in the Northeast Regional Rankings, their highest ever regional position.
The Gaels cracked the Top 30 this week and earned the No. 2 Northeast ranking after a strong performance at the NCAA Pre-Nats. Sophomore McKayla Plank finished sixth overall and teammate Salome Kosgei crossed the line 12th to lead the Gaels in the event. Iona was the top Northeast team in the White Race. No. 5 Columbia finished 13th overall and No. 6 Cornell was 20th. No. 1 Providence finished 5th overall and No. 4 Boston College was 12th in the Blue Race.
Also for her efforts, Plank was named MAAC Cross Country Runner of the Week. It was her second such honor of the season after finishing the 6K race with a time of 20:22.3.
Both national and regional rankings are the highest ever for the women's cross country program at Iona College.
The Gaels tune up in a tri-meet with Manhattan and Marist this afternoon before attempting to defend their 2005 MAAC Championship next Friday (Oct. 27). Both events are held at the Gaels' home course, Van Cortlandt Park.