HANCEVILLE, Ala. — Both Wallace State’s Men’s and Women’s Cross Country teams have earned top five national rankings in the Week 1 NJCAA Division II National Coaches’ Poll released by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA), with both teams securing second place spots. The men’s team set a program-best after moving up six places from the preseason poll and earning one first-place vote. The women’s team matched its highest-ever ranking, jumping five spots and collecting two first-place votes.
Wallace State’s Men’s Cross Country team has started the season strong, securing a runner-up finish at the Montevallo Falcon Invitational. Leading the way was sophomore Luke Kennedy of Huntsville, who finished third overall in the Men’s 8K race and was the top Alabama Community College Conference (ACCC) runner. Kennedy’s time of 25:55.24 currently ranks him number two on the NJCAA Division II Cross Country Performance List.
The women’s team has also shown a strong start to the season, rising to secure a number two spot in the first week poll. Sophomore Grace Gosline of Arab and freshman Reagan Parris of Bremen have led the charge, with both delivering top performances in their races. Parris is currently ranked seventh on the NJCAA Division II Performance List for her time of 19:31.07 in the Women’s 5K at the Montevallo Falcon Classic, while Gosline is ranked 18th for her 20:02.63 finish at the JSU Foothills Invitational.
Both Kennedy and Gosline were named Runners of the Week this month by the ACCC for their standout performances. Kennedy earned the Men’s Runner of the Week title for his third-place finish at the Montevallo Falcon Classic, where he was the top ACCC finisher and helped lead Wallace State to a second-place overall finish. Gosline was named Women’s Runner of the Week for her strong showing at the JSU Foothills Invitational, where she placed 37th overall.
