NEW ORLEANS, La. - Following Alaska Anchorage's first West Region title last weekend, the women's cross country team jumped up two slots for a program-best No. 3 ranking in the final U.S. Track and Field Cross Country Coaches Association poll, while head coach Michael Friess was awarded the women's West Region Coach of the Year honor, announced on Wednesday.
After spending the last six week's at No. 5, the women's team, ranked No. 1 in the West Region, produced UAA's highest national ranking ever. The Seawolves upset Chico State at the regional meet, jumping the Wildcats and Adams State in the poll to the No. 3 position.
Leading the country is Grand Valley State at No. 1 and Missouri Southern State at No. 2.
The men's team moved back into the top 20 at No. 19 after finishing third in the West Region meet, earning them a berth to the national meet. The Seawolves were previously ranked No. 22 for the past two weeks.
In his 20th season at helm for the Seawolves, Friess earned his first ever West Region Coach of the Year accolade after leading his women's team to its first West Region and Great Northwest Athletic Conference titles.
A six-time GNAC Coach of the Year, Friess is sending both of his squads to nationals for the second consecutive season. Overall, Friess has guided eight teams to the national meet, including qualifying both teams in 2005 and 2008.
The Seawolves will have this weekend off before traveling to Evansville, Ind., on Nov. 21 for the 2009 NCAA Div. II Cross Country Championships.
