Cross-Country ranked seventh in the Atlantic Region

KUTZTOWN, PA. (September 22, 2009) – The Kutztown University women’s cross-country team is ranked seventh in the latest Atlantic Regional poll released Tuesday by the United States Track and Field Cross-Country Coaches Association. 

The Golden Bears, which was ranked sixth last week, finished 14^th overall last weekend at the Br. Doyle Meet of Champions hosted by Iona College. Kutztown had two runners place in the top 50. Freshman Becca Brandt (Cleona/Cedar Crest), was the highest KU finisher, crossing the finish line in 43^rd place at 24 minutes 21 seconds. Sophomore Kristen Cupido (Bridgewater, NJ/Bridgewater-Raritan), was 47th, finishing six seconds after Brandt. 

Kutztown returns to action next weekend when it runs at the Paul Short Invitational hosted by Lehigh University. 

The top eight spots in the weekly regional poll are held by Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) members. Shippensburg is the top team followed by Slippery Rock, Lock Haven, Millersville, Edinboro, and Bloomsburg. Ranked behind Kutztown are East Stroudsburg, West Virginia Wesleyan and Alderson-Broaddus. The last two schools are members of the West Virginia Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WVIAC). 

The U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) is the non-profit professional organization that represents men's and women's cross country and track & field coaches in the United States. The organization represents over 8,000 coaching members, including 91% of NCAA coaches. USTFCCCA serves as an advocate for cross country and track & field coaches, providing a leadership structure to assist the needs of a diverse membership, serving as a lobbyist for coaches' interests, and working as a liaison between the various stakeholders in the sports of cross country and track & field.

--KU--