Sept. 16, 2008
OXFORD, Ohio - While the NCAA women's cross country is only two-weeks-old, the Miami University RedHawks have garnered a high regional ranking for their early-season performances.
The RedHawks are ranked sixth in the USTFCCCA (United States Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association) Great Lakes Region, behind Michigan State, Wisconsin, Michigan, Notre Dame, and Akron.
Miami first-year head coach Rita Arndt-Molis is much more concerned with the MAC Championships on Nov. 1 than she is with early-September regional rankings. "I don't put much stock into early season rankings as this sport is much more about how your finish the season as opposed to how you start the season," stated Arndt-Molis.
"Ultimately, there's still a lot of season left and we've got a long way to go." Nonetheless, the first two competitions have showcased the RedHawks' abilities.
Miami won the Dayton 5K Challenge on Aug. 30 over Dayton, Cincinnati, Xavier and competed very well at the Michigan State Spartan Invitational, earning four top-15 spots against several top programs.
Molis commented on the potential of her first RedHawk cross country squad.
"Miami can be a nationally-competitive program if this team of women want it. But it's up to them more than it is up to me. We'll keep training, keep going back to work, and keep trying to create that vision."
The first-year Miami head coach added that the RedHawks are starting to gel as a team.
"They are becoming a tough-minded group of women and I think they will want to show that they are a better than top-6 program in the region."
The RedHawks will have their next opportunity to make positive strides when they travel to the Cowboy Jamboree, hosted by Oklahoma State University, on Oct. 4 with the gun sounding at 8 a.m. CT.
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