The Dordt University women's cross country team took over the No.1 spot in the latest edition of the NAIA Coaches' poll released by the national office earlier today.

• NAIA Press Release | PDF

Notes:

• the rating is compiled by a panel of head coaches representing each of the conferences and unaffiliated groupings
• the Top 25 is determined by a points system based on how each rater rates the best teams; a team receives 30 points for each first-place vote, 29 for second-place, 28 for third-place and so on through the list
• this is the second poll of the regular season and the third overall this season
• Dordt, ranked third in the preseason poll, moved up to second in the Sept.24 poll and now takes over the No.1 spot
• this is the first time Dordt has been ranked No.1 in women's program history
• the Defenders accounted for 549 points and 12 of 19 first place votes, five points more than the Sept.24 poll
• College of Idaho is ranked second with 531 points and earned one first place vote
• Milligan, ranked No.1 in the last poll, dropped to third in this rating with 528 points and six first place votes
• Cornerstone (Mich.) and Indiana Wesleyan round out the top five
• Dordt is one of two teams from the Great Plains Athletic Conference (GPAC) in the top 25
  • Doane is tied for 15th, up over 10 spots after receiving votes in the Sept.24 poll
• two additional GPAC teams; College of Saint Mary and Concordia, received votes
• the Defenders have been ranked in the top 25 for an NAIA-best 106 consecutive polls, dating back to the 2011 season
  • this is the longest streak in the NAIA
• Dordt has been ranked among the top 10 teams in 25 straight polls (dating back to Sept.22, 2022)
• the Defenders have held a top 10 ranking in 75 of the 106 polls during their current streak
• Dordt has competed in two meets this season
• the Defenders have been the top NAIA team in each meet, winning the Sunflower Open and third overall in the Augustana Invite
• sophomore Joy Koole and Addy Liston finished 1-2 at the Sunflower Open
• five additional Defender runners placed in the top 10
• Koole was the top NAIA runner at the Augustana Invite and was named the NAIA and GPAC Runner of the Week with her performance
• Koole, Liston, Bailey VanderGriend and Hannah Thong have been the Defenders top four runners in both meets
• Dordt will compete in the Holiday Inn Express Classic this weekend, the second of three home meets for the Defenders this season