MADISON, Wis. – After earning the program’s 53rd Big Ten Conference title a year ago, the Wisconsin men’s cross country team will open the year ranked No. 5 in the country according to the U.S. Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association National Coaches’ Poll that the association announced Wednesday.
The Badgers are just one of two teams in the Big Ten Conference to appear in the rankings and the highest ranked, UW, is joined by Michigan (27) in the rankings.
UW will see eight of the other top-10 teams in the preseason poll at the 2023 Nuttycombe Wisconsin Invitational Presented by Under Armour on Oct. 13 at the Zimmer Championship Course in Madison.
The ranking came one day after UW opened the season as the No. 1 team in the USTFCCCA Great Lakes Regional Rankings that were released on Tuesday.
The Badgers return four of their five scorers from last year’s Big Ten Championship team, including Bob Liking, a two-time Big Ten Conference Individual Champion, and Jackson Sharp, last year’s runner-up. UW also returns Adam Spencer, last year’s Big Ten Freshman of the Year who is coming off of an appearance at the World Athletic Championships in the 1500 meters.
The Badgers open their 2023 season on Saturday, Sept. 9, with the Badger Classic at the Zimmer Championship Course. Racing is set to begin at 10:30 a.m.
CLICK HERE to Read the Full Original Article at Wisconsin Badgers…