NEW ORLEANS - The Alaska Anchorage women's cross country team received a No. 3 ranking in the preseason national poll released Wednesday by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA). The UAA men's team also made the top-25 Div. II rankings at No. 16.

The women's team, which finished fifth at the 2009 NCAA Championships, is polled behind defending champion Adams State (No. 1) and runner-up Grand Valley State (No. 2).

UAA leads the West Region and Great Northwest Athletic Conference over No. 5 Chico State and No. 7 Western Washington.

On the men's side, the Seawolves trail West Region members Chico State (No. 5) and Western Washington (No. 6), while Adams State, Western State and Colorado Mines round out the top-3, respectively.

The Seawolves will start the 2010 campaign on Sept. 4 with the Hawaii Pacific Invitational in Honolulu.