NEW ORLEANS – The University of Dayton women's cross country team is ranked ninth in the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) NCAA Division I Great Lakes Region preseason poll.

The Flyers were ranked eighth in the 2017 final poll after finishing eighth at the 2017 NCAA Great Lakes Regional 6k on Nov. 10. 

"Our team has been working hard to build on the success of last season," said Head Coach Jason Ordway. "We're returning some key contributors and bringing in some new talent. Our goal is to be a top 10 team each year and starting off in the ninth spot aligns well with that goal. We're looking forward to racing and competing against some of the nation's best programs this year."

The Flyers are coming off a 2017 season in which they won the A-10 Championship, All-Ohio Championship, and the Queen City Invitational.

Dayton features six seniors, including Taylor Vernot who holds the UD all-time 6k record, and Emily Borchers who is ranked 10th all-time in the 6k. Both were named All-Atlantic 10 last season. The Flyers also have seven newcomers to the team this season. 

UD opens the 2018 season at the Queen City Invitational 5k this Saturday, Sept. 1 in Highland Heights, Ky.