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

Oct. 21, 2009 -- The United States Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) released its seventh installment of the Coaches Top 35 Poll on Wednesday with the North Central College men's cross country squad retaining its top ranking for the seventh straight week.

The Cardinals sit atop the rankings after garnering 280 points as the top four remained unchanged from the previous week. Last year's national champion Cortland State (N.Y.) is ranked second with 272 points, followed by UW-La Crosse (264 points) and Geneseo State (N.Y.) (256 points). UW-Stevens Point rounds out the top five after rising one spot to fifth after receiving 242 points. College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin rival Augustana College (212 points) drops one spot to 10th.

In its last outing North Central easily captured the team title, racking up just 22 points to outdistance runner-up UW-Stevens Point by a 75-point margin at the UW-Oshkosh Brooks Invitational. It was North Central's sixth invitational win of the year, as the top varsity squad has yet to be defeated this season. Michael Spain led the Cardinal contingent, finishing runner-up after traversing the 8,000 meter course in 24:25. For his efforts, the junior was named the CCIW Runner of the Week on Tuesday.

North Central takes the weekend off before heading to Elmhurst, Ill. on Saturday, October 31 for the CCIW Championships, where the Cardinals will look to claim an unprecedented 36th straight conference crown.