Complete USTFCCCA Regional Rankings

TACOMA, Wash. — The Pacific Lutheran University women's cross country team climbs into the regional rankings for the first time this season, ranking eighth in the West Region in the fifth installment of the United States Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association poll.

The Lutes climb into the rankings at eighth, one of four Northwest Conference institutions to dot the West Region Top 10. George Fox University paces the NWC, checking in at third in the region with Lewis & Clark College ninth and Pacific University 10th.

Claremont-Mudd-Scripps Colleges sits atop the West Region with intra city rival Pomona-Pitzer Colleges second. GFU is third with Colorado College and the UNiversity of California, Santa Cruz rounding out the top five.

Pacific Lutheran's rise into the rankings comes after finishing 22nd at the Pre-Nationals meet on Saturday in East Lansing, Michigan. Headlining that effort was Sarah Paquet with the senior placing 16th overall after finishing the 6,000-meter race in 22 minutes, 32.7 seconds.

The Lutes will lace up their spikes next on Oct. 15 at the Lewis & Clark Invitational. But fans don't need to wait until then to see the Lutes in action with the cross country teams running the game ball to Saturday's homecoming football game against Lewis & Clark. The Lutes plan on entering the stadium around 15 minutes prior to the 1 p.m. kickoff.