Cross Country Squads Rank Among Nation's Top 25

Scott McMichael and the Broncos start their 2011 season on Sept. 3 in Fullerton.

NCAA Division II Preseason Top 25

NOTE: The first official cross country race for Cal Poly Pomona of the 2011 season has been changed to Sept. 17 at UC Riverside. The start time of the invitational is 8:15 a.m.

NEW ORLEANS - On Wednesday, the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) released its national team preseason rankings for the 2011 NCAA Division II cross country season.

The Cal Poly Pomona men's and women's squads both ranked at No. 24 in their respective polls. On the men's side, the Broncos' 2011 roster features four returners with plenty of young talent. Ryan Carrell returns as the team's top runner after putting together an impressive freshman campaign. Carrell placed fifth at the 2010 California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) Championships.

On the women's side, CPP is a bit more experienced as nine Broncos return from the team that advanced to the NCAA Division II National Championships in Kentucky last November. Leading the way is junior Tiffany Dinh, a native of Norwalk, Calif.

The men's team of Adams State College was picked as the season's first No. 1 team for Division II as the Grizzlies will be defending a three-peat of NCAA crowns. Western State was picked as the top-ranked team to begin the DII cross country season on the women's side while defending champ Grand Valley State was chosen at No. 2.

The Broncos start their 2011 season Saturday, Sept. 17 at the UC Riverside Invite.

Players Mentioned

Ryan Carrell: 5' 8"; Sophomore

Tiffany Dinh: 5' 6"; Junior

Players Mentioned

Ryan Carrell
: 5' 8"; Sophomore

Tiffany Dinh
: 5' 6"; Junior