Coaches' Poll
Kansas City, MO – The Patriots women's cross country team are ranked 20^th in the latest NAIA Coaches' Poll officials announced Thursday morning. This ties the top ranking in program history, which they received after their postseason performance in 2020.
 
UC was RV in the preseason poll, but after a first place team finish at the Berea Centre Jamboree and a second place finish at NAIA Pre-Nationals they leaped into the top 20. Freshman Emily Bird and junior Ashlyn Liddle have led the Pats on the course so far this season. Liddle was the individual champion at Berea with Bird placing second, and Bird earned a fourth place finish at the Pre-Nationals meet with Liddle crossing the finish in seventh.
 
"The ranking is a testament to the continued work and aspirations these young women have. They are hungry and know what is to be accomplished. This is just the starting point of something special" said Head Coach Bradley Sowder.
 
The Patriots earned 218 points in the poll for 20^th. Milligan sits atop of the poll earning 16 first-place votes. Taylor and St. Francis round out the top-three teams in the first poll of the regular season. UC is the only MSC team featured in the top-25. Campbellsville and Thomas More are currently receiving votes.
 
UC is set to race again on October 1^st where they will travel to Louisville, KY for the Live in Lou Cross Country Classic.
 
For the latest and most up-to-date information on University of the Cumberlands Athletics. Please visit www.cumberlandspatriots.com. Follow us on Twitter- @UC_Patriots and @UCPatsGameday, Instagram- @UCPatriots, TikTok- @ucpatriots, Youtube- Cumberlands Patriots, and Facebook by searching University of the Cumberlands Athletics.