NEW ORLEANS – Rogers State women's cross country earned their highest-ever ranking at No. 22 in the Latest U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) Coaches Poll, the organization announced on Wednesday.
 
The Hillcats continue to establish themselves as one of the top teams in the MIAA, which is now the second most represented conference in NCAA Division II, with five nationally ranked teams. RSU is joined by conference competitors No. 10 Pittsburg State, No. 17 Nebraska-Kearney, No. 20 Fort Hays State, and No. 29 Northwest Missouri. The MIAA trails only the RMAC for the highest number of ranked teams.
 
In addition to the conference strength, the Central Region is also second in national representation with eight ranked teams, just behind the South Central Region's 10.
 
The Hillcats have won three of their four meets this season, winning the RSU Distance After Dark, Southern Stampede and Golden Eagle Invite as well as finishing second at the Griffon Invite. They are also the only ranked team from Oklahoma and have been consistently recognized, receiving votes in 17 of the last 20 national polls since week 2 of the 2022 season.
 
RSU is now taking time to train and prepare for the MIAA Championships on Oct. 26, which will be hosted by Missouri Western in St. Joseph, Mo.