CEDARVILLE, Ohio - After spending one week outside of the NAIA Top 25, the Yellow Jackets surged back into the elite group at #17 in the seventh rating of the campaign.
Cedarville has 289 points in the poll. The Yellow Jackets needed a big race at the NAIA Great Lakes Invitational hosted by Aquinas (Mich.) last weekend and they got it by placing 3rd-of-21 schools. Their performance included finishing ahead of the #9 and #13 ranked teams.
For the first time in 29 weeks, perennial American Mideast Conference power and two-time defending national champion Malone is no longer #1. Despite receiving 12-of-21 first-place votes, the Pioneers slipped to #2 behind Southern Oregon.
The rest of the top five features #3 Aquinas (Mich.), #4 Concordia (Neb.), and #5 British Columbia. AMC member Shawnee State is #6.
Cedarville is off this weekend, but will be on the home course the following two Saturdays. The Yellow Jackets host the American Mideast Conference Championship on Nov. 7 and the NCCAA Championship on Nov. 14.
[2009 NAIA Men’s Cross Country Top 25 Coaches’ Poll - Rating #7]