NEW ORLEANS – The Utah cross country team was voted No. 14 in the USTFCCCA Preseason poll on Tuesday, which is the highest preseason ranking in program history.
Utah’s previous top preseason ranking was No. 18 back in 2022, an historic season that saw it finish 12th-overall as a team at the NCAA Championships – the highest finish ever in program history. The Utes have now been ranked in the preseason top-30 poll for the third-consecutive year and fifth time overall (2017, 2019, 2022, 2023, 2024).
The 2024 squad arguably boasts its top returning roster ever with a pair of All-Americans in McKaylie Caesar and Anna Peters. Caesar placed 26th-overall at the championships last season while Peters, who was a freshman last season, came in 33rd to pace the Women of Utah to a 13th-place finish – their second-best finish ever at the championships.
In total, Utah will return four of its top-five scorers from last year’s NCAA Championships squad with Morgan Jensen and Katarzyna Nowakowska joining Caesar and Peters. Head coach Kyle Kepler also added seven new faces to the roster this season that consists of four freshmen (Lauren Ayers, Allie Bruce, Josie Fale and Marika Couture), three transfers (Emily Chaston, Claire Le Gallo and Sona Kourilova).
Utah will open its 2024 campaign near home at the UVU Invitational this Friday, Aug. 30, at Scera Park beginning at 10 a.m. (MDT). Admission is free for all attendees.
For the latest news and information on the Utah cross country and track & field programs, fans can stay connected online at www.UtahUtes.com, on social media by following on Facebook, X and Instagram or stay connected with Utah360, the official mobile app of Utah Athletics through the App Store or Google Play.
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