NEW ORLEANS -- Following an impressive start to the 2026 campaign, the Christopher Newport women's cross country team jumped up three spots in the latest USTFCCCA South Region Rankings as the Captains were slotted third in the most recent poll, which was released by the United States Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association on Tuesday afternoon.
After opening the year listed sixth in the organization's preseason rankings, the Captains climbed up three spots in the USTFCCCA's first in-season release. That was the second-largest improvement of any program in the country, trailing only SUNY Oswego, who vaulted up five spots in the Niagara Region.
Ahead of CNU, Emory continued to hold down the top spot in the South, while Washington and Lee was ranked second. Following the top-three squads, Catholic and Rhodes followed in immediate succession.
The women earned the lofty recognition after shining at the Spider Alumni Open earlier this month. In the program's first appearance of the fall, Christopher Newport finished sixth overall - and first among Division III squads - with a score of 173. During the 4k, CNU parked a pair of runners in the top-25 as
Kayla Lopez finished 20th in 15:07.7, while
Sarah Dake was one spot back in 15:08.2.
In addition to the team's top-two runners, four veterans established 4k PRs during the Spider Alumni Open.
Katherine Streeter (15:44.6),
Lena Blagg (15:55.8),
Didi Dasilva (16:23.6), and
Alexis Rose (16:28.3) all set new personal-bests in their first appearance of the year.
Along with the women's squad, the men also remained in the top-10 of the regional rankings. Christopher Newport was slotted ninth overall in Tuesday's release.
The Captains will return to action on Friday with the CNU Invitational at Lee Hall Mansion.
---ISH---
