NEW ORLEANS, La. – The Trine University women's cross country team opens up the 2021 season ranked 29th nationally by the United States Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA). The Thunder are only one of two Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) schools to be in the preseason poll.
The last time there were NCAA Division III Regional and National events for cross country was in 2019. In that season, current Trine senior Evie Bultemeyer [Fort Wayne, Ind./Homestead] won the Great Lakes Regional Championship and qualified as an individual to the NCAA Division III National meet in Louisville, Kentucky.
The Thunder women look to put themselves in a position to build on their recent success and qualify as a team for Nationals in 2021. Trine was able to compete in three meets during the 2020 season, but due to COVID-19, all Regional and National events were cancelled.
Kick-off for the Trine cross country season will take place on Wednesday, September 1, when the team competes at Manchester University in the Manchester Hokum Karem.
2021 NCAA DIII Women's Cross Country National Coaches' Poll – Preseason