The women’s cross country team is ranked third in the nation by FinishLynx/NCAA’s Monday cross country poll, conducted by the Women’s Intercollegiate Cross Country Coaches Association.

Despite not competing since their first-place finish Sept. 28 at the Roy Griak Invitational in Minnesota, the team has moved up two spots in the poll. The Spartans trail BYU and Stanford, which received 390 and 376 points, respectively.

MSU is the defending Big Ten champion, and finished 11th at the 2001 NCAA Championships. Their next meet is the Pre-NCAA Invitational on Oct. 19 in Terre Haute, Ind.

Emily Buckler