The Northwest Missouri State University women's cross-country team has shot up to No. 21 in the nation in this week's USTFCCCA national coaches' poll.
 
The Bearcats, under the direction of coach Wick Cunningham, have also moved up to be the No. 4 rated squad in the Central Region.
 
USTFCCCA National Coaches' Poll (Oct. 8)
1. Colo. School of Mines
2. Grand Valley State
3. West Texas A&M
4. Adams State
5. Cedarville
6. Wingate
7. Western Colorado
8. UC–Colorado Springs
9. Lewis
10. Walsh
11. Fort Lewis
12. Winona State
13. Stanislaus State
14. Pittsburg State
15. Chico State
16. Northern Michigan
17. Neb.–Kearney
       CSU Pueblo
19. Catawba
20. Tampa
21. Northwest Missouri State
22. Missouri Southern
       Lee (Tenn.)
       Mississippi College
       Rogers State
26. Fort Hays State
27. Minnesota State
28. Colorado Mesa
29. Palm Beach Atlantic
30. Colorado Christian
 
The Bearcat women placed third best out of Division II schools competing at the Chile Pepper Festival, with Nebraska Kearney and Mississippi College edging them out for first and second respectively. 
 
Central Region Rankings (Oct. 7)
1. Winona State
2. Pittsburg State
3. Neb.-Kearney
4. Northwest Missouri State
5. Missouri Southern
6. Rogers State
7. Fort Hays State
8. Minnesota State
9. Augustana (S.D.)
10. Washburn