MEN

On Wednesday, the 2013 NAIA Men’s Cross Country Coaches’ Preseason Top 25 Poll announced that The Master’s College men’s cross country team ranks ninth in the nation.

However, the Mustangs are not alone as they share the ninth-place ranking with CSU San Marcos.

Notably, two other teams from the Golden State Athletic Conference made their way on the Preseason Top 25 Poll: No. 16 Arizona Christian and No. 21 Vanguard.

A year ago, TMC won its third straight GSAC Men’s Cross Country Championship and finished eighth in the NAIA.  And while the loss of John Gilbertson (Saugus, CA), reigning NAIA national champion, will make it difficult to claim a school-record fourth straight crown, the Mustangs’ 2013 roster is up to the challenge.

In fact, attesting to the strength of their roster, the Mustangs rank first in the GSAC according to the Conference/A.I.I./Unaffiliated Group Poll released on Monday, August 26.

For now, the Mustangs will continue to prepare for their season opener on September 7, at the UC Irvine Invitational. Race time is scheduled for 8:15 a.m.

WOMEN

The Master’s College women’s cross country team ranks tenth in the nation, according to the 2013 NAIA Women’s Cross Country Coaches’ Preseason Top 25 poll.

Last season, the Lady Mustangs ended with a No. 25 national ranking, just after Hannah Kellermen (Sartell, MN), Katrina Graham (Riverside, CA), and Karis Frankian (Saugus, CA) represented The Master’s College with excellence at the 2012 NAIA National Championships. In fact, Both Kellerman and Frankian earned NAIA All-American honors and are expected to lead the Lady Mustangs for what is being projected as the strongest squad in program history.

The 2013 season will boast a seasoned roster for the Lady Mustangs who return all six veterans to go along with four new recruits signed in the offseason.

“The Lady Mustangs have an opportunity to win conference this year and be a top contender in the nation,” said head coach Zach Schroeder. “Being led by team captains Hannah Kellerman and Karis Frankian, we will be very strong with two quality frontrunners.  The secret to our team will be the depth we will boast this year as we have four newcomers who will really add depth to the critical three, four, and five spots.  With a strong field the Lady Mustangs will no doubt be the best team we have ever fielded in program history.”

Attesting to the strength of their roster, the Lady Mustangs rank first in the GSAC according to the Conference/A.I.I./Unaffiliated Group Poll released on Monday, August 26.

For now, the Lady Mustangs will continue to prepare for their season opener on September 7, at the UC Irvine Invitational.