Women's Cross-Country Ranked 22nd, Men Receive Votes in USTFCCCA National Poll
8/27/2024 5:00:00 PM | Cross Country & Track
NEW ORLEANS--- The United States Track & Field/ Cross-Country Coaches Association released its DI preseason National poll, with California Baptist University earning 23rd for the women and receiving votes on the men's side.
The Lancers broke through on the national stage last season, with both teams earning top 10 placement and finishing top 20 at the 2023 Cross-Country Nationals in Charlotteville, Virginia. Both squads will be led by a brand new coaching staff, helmed by Sean Smith, who brings years of tremendous experience from Azusa Pacific, Chico State, and Notre Dame de Namur. Coach Smith will have two new-look squads, with a large portion of both teams being new to CBU.
The women will be led by returning grad student Yasna Petrova, who has racked up the accolades since joining the Lancers in 2021. Petrova has multiple All-WAC awards under her belt and finished 45th at National to help women reach 17th place. For the men, Matias Reynaga and Valentin Soca figure to be the top returners for the Lancers and will help lead a strong group of transfers and freshmen. Soca and Reynaga were both First Team All-WAC placers a season ago and helped guide the men to their first-ever trip to Nationals, where they placed 16th.
Nationally, on the men's side, Oklahoma State topped the preseason rankings, followed by BYU and Arkansas. CBU is receiving votes in the national poll with 12 votes, which is the third highest among teams that are receiving votes, trailing only Air Force (21) and Michigan State (15). Regionally, the men's team is ranked 5th behind powerhouses like Stanford, Portland, Oregon, and Washington. The top 5 ranking places the Lancers ahead of top-tier programs such as Gonzaga, Washington State, and Boise State.
For the women, N.C. State was voted the favorite in the presason followed closely by Northern Arizona, Notre Dame, and Oregon. The CBU women checked in at 22nd nationally, finishing just behind New Mexico and Boston College and in front of Western Athletic Conference foe Utah Valley. Regionally, the women also check in at #5, with the Oregon Ducks topping the West Region. The Lancers finished ahead of Portland, Boise State, and Oregon State and only trailed Oregon, Stanford, Washington, and Gonzaga.
The Lancers will kick off its 2024 season at the Mark Covert Invitational on Saturday, August 31, in Brea, CA.
