For the first time in program history, the Colorado College women's cross country team is ranked No. 1 in the country for Division III according to the latest United States Track & Field and Cross Country (USTFCCCA) poll released on Wednesday.
 
The Tigers, ranked 17^th  last week, stormed to the top of the poll after posting the biggest upset in program history last Saturday by winning the Division III race at the John McNichols Invitational in Terre Haute, Ind. That marks the biggest rise to No. 1 in the entire history of the National Coaches' Polls, regardless of division.
 
CC finished ahead of five Top 10 Division III teams, including No. 1-ranked NYU and No. 2 University of Chicago.
 
Senior Isabel Olson, this week's SCAC Runner of the Week, led the Tigers on Saturday by finishing second among Division III runners. She covered the 6K course that will serve as the site of the NCAA Division III Championship Meet in a time of 21:35.6. Fellow senior Sydney Rankin was 16^th overall and third in DIII with a time of 21:45.6.
 
Junior Alison Mueller-Hickler (23^rd overall/6^th DII) ran a 21:57.5, followed by seniors Elliot Singer (38/15) in 22:21.6 and Britt Helgaas (97/53) in 23:19.8.
 
"It is exciting to see this kind of recognition after such an impressive performance last weekend," head coach Alex Nichols said. "We still have a long season ahead, but this ranking shows that we are doing exactly what we need to do. We will keep training hard and make sure we are ready for the national championship in November."
 
The last Colorado College team to earn a national No. 1 ranking was the volleyball team following the shortened 2021 spring season.
 
The Tigers return to action on Saturday, Oct. 5, when they host the Ted Castaneda Classic at North Monument Valley Park, beginning at 10 a.m.