FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Mark Albanese, Assistant Sports Information Director, 630-637-5302
Complete Rankings

Oct. 14, 2009 -- The North Central College women's cross country team maintained its hold as the Midwest Region's seventh ranked squad in the sixth installment of the United States Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) Regional Rankings, released this week.

UW-Eau Claire continued its climb up the Midwest Region rankings, dethroning Washington University in Saint Louis for the top spot. UW-La Crosse jumped one spot to second while the Wash U Bears tumbled to third. UW-Oshkosh and the University of Chicago rounded out the top five, maintaining the fourth and fifth spots, respectively. North Central remained seventh for the second straight week as the Cardinals continue to be the top-ranking College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin institution. CCIW-rivals Wheaton College and Illinois Wesleyan University stayed steady in the the rankings, remaining eighth and ninth, respectively.

The Cardinals claimed their first team title of the season on Friday, winning the 11-team Benedictine University Eagle Invitational as four North Central runners finished among the top 10. Reigning CCIW Runner of the Week Lauren Hooks continued her early season dominance, finishing second overall after covering the 6,000 meter course in 23:12.66 while Alicia Zimmerman was third in 23:38.74. The Cardinals accumulated just 33 points in the team tally, edging out runner-up Illinois Central College by 17. 

The Cardinals return to action on Saturday, October 17, heading up to Oshkosh, Wis. for the Brooks Invitational.