Women's cross country jumps to No. 4, men maintain No. 2 in national rankings

NEW ORLEANS – The BYU women’s cross country team moved up to No. 4 in the US Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association’s (USTFCCCA) National Coaches’ Poll released Tuesday. The BYU men’s team maintained its No. 2 spot in the nation. 

This is the first time since 2005 that both teams have been ranked in the top five. During week three of the 2005 season, the USTFCCCA ranked both the men’s and women’s team No. 4. 

Following an individual and team win at the Bill Dellinger Invitational last weekend, the Cougars jumped two spots to No. 4 in the nation. The 35-point performance was headlined by Whittni Orton’s (19:25.8) first-place finish, while All-American teammates Erica Birk-Jarvis (19:30.8) and Courtney Wayment (19:42.7) finished in second and fourth, respectively. The Cougars beat out four ranked teams including No. 10 Oregon and No. 13 Boise State.

This marks the women’s highest in-season ranking since 2005. The BYU women’s team has claimed the No. 4 spot in the nation eight times since 1995. 

For the third week in a row, the BYU men’s team holds the No. 2 spot in the rankings. Led by USTFCCCA National Athlete of the Week, Conner Mantz (23:24.7), the Cougars took second overall at the Bill Dellinger Invitational. This was Mantz’ second-straight individual win of the 2019 season. Five other Cougars placed in the top 25 including Jacob Heslington (23:39.2) in eighth, Michael Ottesen (23:55.3) in 15th and Brandon Garnica following in 23:57.0. 

The USTFCCCA’s official release and full rankings can be found on ustfccca.org.