Sept. 18, 2008

Tulsa, Oklahoma - The University of Tulsa's cross country teams are both ranked in the top-five of the Midwest Region preseason rankings as announced by the U.S. Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association. The men's team was ranked fourth and the women's team came in at No. 5 in the Midwest Region poll. The men's squad also picked up 13 votes in the USTFCCCA preseason national poll.

The Midwest Region is comprised of Oklahoma, Kansas, Missouri, Illinois, Iowa, Nebraska, Minnesota, South Dakota, and North Dakota.

Tulsa is coming off of its first race of the season, where the women's team finished first and the men's team finished second at the Hurricane Festival. The Hurricane continues their season this Saturday at the Southern Stampede in Joplin, Mo. Below are the complete preseason rankings for the Midwest Region.

MEN
1. Oklahoma State
2. Minnesota
3. Iowa State
4. TULSA
5. Missouri
6. Oklahoma
7. Iowa
8. Southern Illinois
9. Illinois
10. Illinois State
11. Nebraska
12. Kansas
13. Southeast Missouri State
14. Oral Roberts
15. South Dakota State

WOMEN
1. Minnesota
2. Illinois
3. Nebraska
4. Iowa
5. TULSA
6. Oklahoma State
7. Kansas State
8. Iowa State
9. Missouri
10. Missouri State
11. Wichita State
12. Kansas
13. Oklahoma
14. South Dakota State
15. Illinois State