----Ryne Smith

By Chad Hensley, NKU Sports Information

NEW ORLEANS – Following a fifth-place finish against strong competition from the Division I, Division II and NAIA levels in the 38th Annual Sean Earl Lakefront Invitational in Chicago, the Northern Kentucky University men’s cross country team has once again cracked the latest U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association Division II poll, this time ranked 21st in the country.

Head coach Steve Kruse’s philosophy of scheduling strong competition is starting to pay dividends for his Norse squad. NKU is a combined 54-8 this season in its first four meets.

Ryne Smith, a graduate of Scott High School, has emerged as the lead runner for the Norse as he has been the top finisher in the last two races for Kruse’s squad. Adam Stoppelwerth and Zach Koehler are the other two harriers that have been the top finisher for NKU.

Matthew Shoulta has continued to run consistent races throughout the season by crossing the finish line second on the team in each race.

The Norse are one of six schools from the Great Lakes Region that are ranked in the top 25 - Grand Valley State (4), Southern Indiana (9), Missouri-Rolla (15), Ashland (23) and Saginaw Valley State (24).

Abilene Christian is the top team in the country this week after finishing tied for first with host Oklahoma State in the Cowboy Jamboree. Oklahoma State is ranked fourth in the current Division I poll.

On the women’s front, Julianne Hoekzema has continued to lead the rest of the Norse runners by example. Hoekzema runs at the top of the pack in every race this year, including a second-place finish at the Lakefront Invitational.

Despite the early-season results, Kruse thinks the women’s team is showing signs of resembling the men’s team.

The gap between Hoekzema and teammates Alisha Hansman, Janice Laker, and Jenna Siemer seems to be closing, which will help the women’s team as the postseason nears.

NKU will be back in action this weekend as it travels to Edwardsville, Ill., to take part in the Border Wars hosted by Southern Illinois at Edwardsville – which is also the host school and course for the Great Lakes Regional meet as well. Start time for the Border Wars will be at 10 a.m. CST.