MARQUETTE – After placing third at the GLIAC Championships, Northern Michigan University moved up to eighth in the NCAA Division II women’s cross country national coaches’ poll released Wednesday by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association.

“The team ran extremely well at the GLIAC Championships, so it’s very exciting for the program to be recognized with this national ranking,” Northern head coach Jenny Ryan said. “We’re looking forward to racing at regionals.”

The Wildcats were also ranked No. 8 in the Sept. 16 poll. Eighth is the team’s highest ranking since 2005, when the Wildcats were tabbed third.

That team ultimately finished 16th at the NCAA Division II National Championships.

NMU has appeared in the top-10 in six of the season’s 10 polls.

The Wildcats return to the course when they compete at the NCAA Midwest Regional in Evansville, Indiana, on Nov. 7.