NORTHFIELD, Minn. – The Carleton College men's cross country team makes its first appearance of the season in the national rankings, while women's cross country continues to be listed among the country's top programs. Here's a closer look at the Knights appearing in this week's national polls:
 
Men's Cross Country
After getting the best of four nationally ranked squads at the UW-Eau Claire Blugold Invitational, the Knights went from unranked to No 15 in this week's U.S. Track & Field Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) national poll. Coach Dave Ricks' squad is also listed at No. 3 in the Central Region.
 
Last Friday, Carleton finished ahead of current No. 19 UW-Oshkosh, No. 24 St. Olaf, No. 27 UW-Eau Claire and previously-ranked Luther College. The Knights also out-paced Michigan Tech, which was a nationally-ranked NCAA Division II squad the week before.
 
Previous Rankings
No. 15 – week 4 (10/6/21)
•Carleton has been listed in the national rankings 53 times dating back to the start of the 2013 season, climbing as high as No. 9 on multiple occasions.
 
Upcoming schedule
Friday, Oct. 15 – at St. Boni Invite (St. Bonifacious, Minn.) – participation still TBD
Saturday, Oct. 16 – at Lewis & Clark Invite (Estacada, Ore.)
Saturday, Oct. 30 – MIAC Championships (Northfield, Minn. – hosted by St. Olaf)
Thursday, Nov. 4 – Karhu Shoe Race (Northfield, Minn. – hosted by Carleton)
Saturday, Nov. 13 – NCAA Central Region Championships (Colfax, Wis.)
Saturday, Nov. 20 – NCAA D-III National Championships (Louisville, Ky.)
 
 
Women's Cross Country
The Knights are No. 21 in the latest USTFCCCA national poll and No. 3 in the Central Region.
 
Carleton tied then No. 22 and current No. 20 UW-Eau Claire for lowest team score at last week's Blugold Invitational. Both programs totaled 70 points in the standings, with the Knights coming out short just short on the tiebreaker, 3-2.
 
Previous Rankings
No. 16 – preseason (8/25/21)
No. 20 – week 1 (9/15/21)
No. 18 – week 2 (9/22/21)
No. 17 – week 3 (9/29/21)
No. 21 – week 4 (10/6/21)
•Carleton has been listed in each national ranking dating back to the start of the 2014 season, climbing as high as No. 5 on multiple occasions.
 
Upcoming schedule
Friday, Oct. 15 – at St. Boni Invite (St. Bonifacious, Minn.)
Saturday, Oct. 16 – at Lewis & Clark Invite (Estacada, Ore.)
Saturday, Oct. 30 – MIAC Championships (Northfield, Minn. – hosted by St. Olaf)
Thursday, Nov. 4 – Karhu Shoe Race (Northfield, Minn. – hosted by Carleton)
Saturday, Nov. 13 – NCAA Central Region Championships (Colfax, Wis.)
Saturday, Nov. 20 – NCAA D-III National Championships (Louisville, Ky.)
 
Other Carleton teams in the rankings
• Women's Golf was ranked No. 20 in the country in the Women's Golf Coaches Association (WGCA) poll released on September 17. The Knights finished fourth at the MIAC Championships last weekend.
• Men's Soccer is ranked No. 5 in the region by the United Soccer Coaches.