FROM STAFF REPORTS

NEW ORLEANS – The University of Montevallo women’s cross country team earned its highest ranking in program history with a No. 20 ranking in the latest United States Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association NCAA Division II poll, which was released Oct. 7.

The ranking marks the fourth week in program history the Falcons have been ranked in the national poll, with their highest ranking coming in the 2014 season when the team was ranked No. 24 nationally.

Montevallo remains the top-ranked team in the USTFCCCA NCAA Division II Southeast Region poll.

Montevallo is the only Peach Belt Conference school ranked in the top 25 nationally.

The Falcons earned the lofty national ranking after claiming back-to-back team championships at the Falcon Classic and the Chile Pepper Cross Country Festival.

Freshman Katie Nelson, the reigning Peach Belt Conference Runner of the Week, recorded the fastest 5K time in program history while leading all College Division runners at the Chile Pepper Cross Country Festival last weekend, where the Falcons finished ahead of Colorado School of Mines, which is ranked No. 18 nationally.

The Falcons saw five runners eclipse the previous school record time in a 5K event at the Chile Pepper Cross Country Festival.

Hillsdale is the top-ranked team in the nation in the latest poll. Adams State, Grand Valley State, Minnesota Duluth and Chico State round out the top five teams in the poll.

The Falcons return to action Friday, Oct. 16 at the Crimson Classic.