COLUMBUS, Ohio - The Ohio State women’s cross country team was ranked 19th in the nation by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association Tuesday. The appearance in the national Top-30 poll is the second in program history and marks the first time the Buckeyes have been ranked among the Top-20 teams in the nation. Ohio State was ranked in the Top 30 once previously at 27th overall in 2009, a week after the team finished second at the Great Lakes regional championships. The team has received votes in three weekly polls this season.
“Coach Vergote in two short years has already managed to make history with the women in our cross country program with our first Top-20 position in the national rankings,” Karen Dennis, director of track & field and cross country, said. “I’m most impressed with what she’s accomplished given the fact our seniors had previously experienced three distance coaches.
"Ever since she set foot on campus, she’s worked tirelessly to transform our distance team into a highly competitive unit of women capable of competing on the national level," Dennis added. "I’m very proud of the manner in which she’s settled into our Buckeye culture and more importantly the way she’s molded our women into a formidable cross country team. Our seniors have been wonderful and have a lot of trust in their coach and fellow teammates. They deserve to have a memorable experience this season.”
The Buckeyes were also ranked 18th as a team in the Saucony Flo 50 rankings by Flotrack, while senior All-American Katie Borchers was ranked 25th in the website’s individual athlete rankings.
“It’s a nice nod for our women to receive votes and I’m pleased with where we are at in terms of fitness and health,” distance coach Sara Vergote said. “While rankings are nice, we understand as a team there is a lot of season left. We are excited to continue to prove ourselves every week.”
The Buckeyes are four days removed from an impressive 14th-place finish at the adidas Invitational in Madison, Wis., where they defeated a total of nine ranked teams. Borchers was the top finisher overall for OSU, placing 19th in a 6k personal-best time of 20:22.
Ohio State returns to action Nov. 2 at the 2014 Big Ten Championships in Iowa City, Iowa. [INDENT] \"Losing wouldn\'t have healed it.\" JJaggers
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