NMJC Men's XC ranks number 1 in National Coaches' Poll

NEW ORLEANS – There's a new name at the top of the NJCAA Division I Men's Cross Country National Coaches' Poll as New Mexico JC has its first-ever No. 1 ranking.

The Week 1 edition of the poll previews a potential thrilling season as the T-Birds are just one point ahead of defending champion Iowa Central CC. The 2021 NJCAA Division I Cross Country Championships are set for Saturday, November 13 at Pole Green Park in Richmond, Virginia.

New Mexico JC opened the year at the Texas Tech Open on September 4, finishing fifth in a field of mostly NCAA Division I and Division II programs. Freshman Evans Polotet led the T-Birds with an eighth-place finish in 20:09.8 over the 4-mile course. NMJC's previous high ranking in the polls was No. 2 in Week 1 of 2020. However, the program does have some notable legacy – in 1979 the T-Birds won the NJCAA title prior to there being any divisions.

Iowa Central CC actually outgained NMJC in first-place votes, 4-3. The Tritons are led by defending individual national champion Kelvin Bungei, who won the Hawkeye Invitational on September 3 in 18:21.4 for 6K on a muddy course.

No one is counting out Cloud County (Kan.), the 2019 champions who were fourth last year. The T-Birds return four scorers from last year and convincingly won the Terry Masterson Classic on Sept. 3 with 65 points, led by second-place finisher Awet Beraki (20:06.5 for 4 miles).

Northwest Kansas Tech is No. 4, the highest ranking in program history. The Mavericks (22nd last year) are led by freshman Oliver Kiptoo, who was third in the Nebraska-Kearney Invitational (18:10.6 for 6K).

No. 5 College of Southern Idaho received the only first-place vote not given to NMJC or Iowa Central CC, and for good reason. The Golden Eagles return six runners from last year's runner-up team.

Completing the top-10 are No. 6 Indian Hills (Iowa) CC, No. 7 Fort Scott (Kan.) CC and No. 8 Butler (Kan.) CC, with Central Arizona and Garden City (Kan.) CC tied for No. 9.