Colorado State University Athletics
Women's cross country jumps in national rankings
10/3/2007 12:00:00 AM | Cross Country
Oct. 3, 2007
FORT COLLINS, COLO.- The CSU women's cross country team jumped seven spots in the Division I poll released Tuesday by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association, placing the squad 14th in the nation.
The Rams finished fourth at the Bill Dellinger Invitational Saturday, defeating two ranked opponents, beating BYU for the first time in a major meet. The women's squad was led by April Thomas and Heather Loseke.
"We were that close to the No. 5 team in the country," said Head Coach Bryan Berryhill after the event. "We came out here and accomplished some good things. April ran a great race, this is a wonderful field for her to finish fourth and for Heather to finish ninth gave us a strong presence here. For us to finish five points behind Arkansas is a great accomplishment for this team."
Thomas placed fourth among a nationally elite field. Her time leads the MWC this season in the 6K distance. She ran the 6K leg with a time of 20:27, helping CSU finish within five points of No. 5 Arkansas. This week Thomas was named Mountain West Conference Cross Country Athlete of the Week.
A senior from Aurora, Colo., Thomas won the Colorado State Classic 5K race on Sept. 15, finishing with a time of 18:01, leading the women's squad to its second consecutive victory.
Loseke finished ninth at the Bill Dellinger Invitational with a time of 20:38, helping the team place fourth. Loseke, a native of Pueblo, Colo., finished third in the Colorado State Classic with a time of 18:15, earning Mountain West Conference Runner of the Week honors.
"I thought the women ran extremely well," said Berryhill. "Beating ranked teams BYU and Georgia is a great accomplishment."
The team will face its next challenge at the Pre-Nationals Oct. 13 in Terre Haute, Ind.