Sept. 6, 2001

COLUMBIA, Mo. - The University of Missouri women's cross country team was recently ranked 14th in the FinishLynx/NCAA Division I 2001 Preseason poll and ranked first in the Midwest Region. Big 12 foe Colorado topped the national rankings with nine first-place votes and Texas A&M holds the No. 17 spot in the poll released Sept. 1. The first regular season poll will be released Sept. 24.

"It's nice that other coaches in the region think so highly of our team, but at this point we're focusing more on what we can do to get better individually and collectively," Cross Country coach Jared Wilmes said.

The men's team received three points in its preseason poll and was ranked fifth in the region. The Colorado men received 13 first-place votes to take the top spot in the first poll of the season. Oklahoma State was the only other Big 12 school to crack the Top 25 and came in at No. 25.

"Our goal is continual improvement throughout the season and to be prepared for the 'championship' portion of our season," Wilmes said.