Cougars soar into top five of national rankings

PROVO, Utah – After taking second in a stacked 36-team field that featured 17 of the nation’s top 30 teams Friday at the Wisconsin Adidas Invitational, BYU men’s cross country jumped to No. 4 in the national rankings Tuesday.

The No. 4 ranking is the highest the program has had since 2013, when BYU took fourth at the NCAA championships.

BYU coach Ed Eyestone believes the national recognition helps his program, but he knows there’s still a long road ahead.

“I’m flattered that we’re ranked No. 4,” Eyestone said. “I think it helps us in our recruiting, and our alumni are proud of it. Ultimately, in terms of the NCAA championships, we’re going to have to perform in the race. We’re not going to let this go to our heads. We’re going to continue to work and hopefully we can be ready for when that day comes.”

After rising methodically in the rankings all year, the Cougars moved up five spots in this week’s poll. As it stands currently, BYU occupies one of the top two spots in the Mountain Region. The top two teams from each of the nine regions will earn automatic bids to the 2015 NCAA Championships held in Louisville, Kentucky, on Saturday, Nov. 21.

Most importantly for Eyestone and his runners, an elevated national ranking helps tremendously in securing one of the top two regional rankings and qualifying for the national meet. He’s most interested in the ranking his team can achieve in Louisville.

“It’s nice to be recognized. It makes my phone calls and emails a little easier because I can include the link to the rankings. I can tell people to take a look at where the nation thinks we are. In recruiting, I can tell people to come join us because we’re a top four program. But it’s not like football where you have to move into the top four to make it to the College Football Playoff. Our playoff is 31 teams running a race on the Saturday before Thanksgiving. That’s when we really need to deliver.”

For a complete rankings list, visit ustfccca.org.