Bowling Green, Ky. - The U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) released week six regional rankings for the NCAA Division I 2011 season Monday.  

The Hilltoppers moved into the rankings for the first time this season, jumping all the way to ninth.  As the only team to have three-runners in the top-10 of the Greater Louisville Classic two weeks ago, the Hilltoppers catapulted into the rankings after defeating ranked Davidson and Kentucky.  Senior Deus Rwaheru, along with freshmen Peter Okwera and David Mokone have ran strong in the first three positions so far this season, claiming two individual victories and seven top-10 finishes between them.

The Lady Toppers moved up two spots this week to 11th following a strong team performance at the Crimson Classic.  There, the WKU women finished fifth – just six points behind fourth-place Georgia.  The women had strong finishes by Marion Kandie and Michelle Finn, finishing fifth and sixth, respectively.  The two were the only teammates in the 25-team field to score in the top-ten among individual finishers.  In fact, Vasity Chemweno's 11th-place finish allowed the WKU women to have three scorers cross the line before any other school's number two finisher. 

Next week will be a "repeat" week for USTFCCCA rankings, meaning that lists released this week will also apply for next week. The next regular regional rankings will be released after the conclusion of the Sun Belt Cross Country Championships, hosted by the Tops at Kereiakes Park on October 28.

USTFCCCA Regional Cross Country Rankings are determined subjectively by a single member coach in each respective region. The regional representative is tasked with weighing returning team strength with current-season results in determining predicted team finishes at the NCAA Regional Championships.

Men's 2011 Week 6 Southeast Region Rankings