SYRACUSE, N.Y. – The Syracuse women's cross country team climbed five spots to No. 10 in the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association poll over the weekend. It is the team's highest ranking in history, and comes two days after the team's showing at Pre-Nationals in Terre Haute, Ind., where it placed fourth overall. The men's team earned the No. 14 spot after placing second at the Panorama Invitational hosted by University of Virginia.

Both cross country squads have continued to climb in the national rankings in the 2009 season. The women debuted in the preseason rankings at No. 23, besting last year's highest ranking of No. 25. After beating five of the nation's top-30 teams en route to its second place finish at the Wisconsin Adidas Invite, the Orange settled at No. 15 before reaching its all-time high at No. 10.

The men went from being unranked to No. 11 in the USTFCCCA poll following the team's first place finish in Wisconsin, where it finished ahead of five nationally-ranked teams. The last time the Orange was ranked prior to this season was in 2007, when the squad was No. 26.

The Orange travels to Ithaca, N.Y. for the John Reif Invite on Friday, Oct. 23. It will be the last meet before the BIG EAST Championship in Kenosha, Wis. on Saturday, Oct. 31.