South Central Region Coaches Poll


 October 18, 2000

                 With two large intra-regional meets on the slate last weekend, this 
week's edition of the NCAA South Central Regional Coaches Cross Country Poll closely 
resembles the outcome of those two meets.  Both polls look fairly constant with some 
notable exceptions.

                 In the women's poll, the Arkansas Lady Backs remain in the top spot, 
garnering all but one first place vote.  Arkansas won their own invitational over the 
weekend, ahead of regional foes TCU and New Orleans.  The Aggies of Texas A&M remain 
solidly in the number two spot off of their win at the A&M Invitational as well.  
Despite these two performances, both Arkansas and Texas A&M inexplicably fell in 
the national polls, Arkansas down a spot to #12, while A&M tumbled to #21.  TCU 
is also receiving votes in the national poll.  The biggest mover in the regional poll 
this week were the Bearkats of Sam Houston State who vaulted into the poll at the 
number nine spot after not having been ranked all year.  The Lady Longhorns of Texas 
fell the most from the number nine spot last week to only receiving two 
votes this week.

                 In the men's poll, once again the Razorbacks hold town the top 
spot and remain at #2 in the national poll behind Colorado.  Texas strengthened 
its hold on the all-important second spot, which holds an automatic berth to 
the national meet.  North Texas was the biggest riser in the men's poll, up a 
whopping five spots into the fifth position, while the Rice Owls fell out of their 
nest and all the way out of the poll from the number four spot last week.

                 Two small meets are on tap for this weekend:  the Southwest Texas 
State Invitational in San Marcos and the Lamar Invitational in Beaumont.  Due to 
the fact that most teams are taking the weekend off in preparation for 
their respective conference championships, there will be no poll next week.  The 
final poll of the year will be released the week of November 5 before the Regional 
Championships on November 11.