Belles Ranked Tenth in Region in Preseason List

NEW ORLEANS, La. - For the first time in program history, the Saint Mary's cross country team has earned a regional ranking. The Belles are ranked tenth in the Great Lakes Region Preseason listing as released by the United States Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association earlier this week.


The Belles are ranked tenth in the Great
Lakes Region in the USTFCCCA
Preseason rankings."I was elated when I saw that we made the preseason regional ranking," said head coach Jackie Bauters. "It has been one of my goals to get the program to a place where we are in the regional rankings. It is a true testament of the team's work ethic. The team and I are excited about the ranking but know that the end result will take a season full of work, which they are even more eager to put in now. It is a great way to rally the team at the start of the season."

The tenth place regional ranking is the first earned by the team since the inception of cross country as a varsity sport at Saint Mary's in the fall of 1997.

Saint Mary's joins fellow MIAA members Calvin (No. 1) and Hope (No. 4) on the Great Lakes Region preseason ranking list. The Great Lakes Region is comprised of Division III colleges and universities from Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, and Kentucky.

For a full list of the 2012 Regional Cross Country Preseason Rankings, click here.