Sept. 11, 2007

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. - The Boston University men's and women's cross country teams both ranked high on a recent U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association poll released Monday. The women's teams ranked seventh in the Northeastern region while the men's team placed 11th.

In the women's rankings, Providence, Boston College, Columbia, Cornell and Yale placed in the top five. The Terriers were ranked as the unanimous preseason favorites to win the America East conference in a coaches' poll on Aug. 23.

The team has certainly gained further support through a strong showing at the season's first meet on Sept. 7. The Terrier women finished with four runners in the top five finishers, beating Brown (25-32), Harvard (19-36), Manhattan (17-38) and Marist (16-39). Senior Andrea Walkonen took first place with a strong 17:46 finish time, one minute and 17 seconds ahead of the closest competitor.

On the men's side, Iona, Providence, Syracuse, Columbia and Cornell were the five highest ranked cross country teams in the Northeast. The Terriers placed ahead of America East rivals New Hampshire (12th) and Stony Brook (14th), even though New Hampshire was last year's America East title winner. BU was ranked third in this year's America East preseason coaches' ranking.

Senior David Proctor and sophomore Eric Ashe finished second and third in the team's first race on Sept. 7, but the Terriers sole win was against Manhattan (23-32). The team lost to Brown (25-34) and Marist (25-32), while earning a draw with Harvard (28-28).