Sept. 1, 2010

WASHINGTON - The Georgetown University cross country program is again touted to be among the best in the country this season with the US Track & Field & Cross Country Coaches Association releasing its preseason national and regional rankings this week. The Hoya women were tabbed 11th in the country while the men were ranked 16th in the nation.

With a top-15 national ranking, the Hoya women also secured the third spot in the Mid-Atlantic Region that boasts defending national champion and BIG EAST perennial powerhouse Villanova. The Wildcats were tabbed first nationally and in the region while Princeton took the second spot in the region and was tabbed seventh in the nation in the preseason rankings. Two other BIG EAST Conference schools are present in the Mid-Atlantic preseason rankings in West Virginia (4th Mid-Atlantic; 15th nationally) and Rutgers (14th Mid-Atlantic).

The Georgetown men have yet again topped the Mid-Atlantic Region preseason rankings after a six-year stint as the reigning champions of the Mid-Atlantic Region with seven-time All-American Andrew Bumbalough also taking the individual title in 2009. Bumbalough became the first Hoya to win back-to-back individual Mid-Atlantic titles. The Mid-Atlantic Region features two BIG EAST Conference foes in Villanova (2nd Mid-Atlantic; 15th nationally) and Pittsburgh (14th Mid-Atlantic).

The Hoyas begin the 2010 campaign on Saturday, Sept. 11, when they travel to State College, Pa., for the Harry Groves Invitational.