OBU Women Ranked Eighth in Preseason Cross Country Poll

Oklahoma Baptist University's Lady Bison cross country team is ranked eighth in the NAIA Preseason Rating, released Friday.

OBU, which returns national champion Mirriam Kaumba, was 10th in the final 2003 poll and finished 16th at the national championship meet. OBU lost All-American Kari Nunneley to graduation.

OBU and Southern Nazarene, ranked 22nd, are the only ranked teams in NAIA Region VI, which includes Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico and part of Arkansas. Oklahoma Christian and Northwood (Texas) received votes.

The Bison, who finished 15th at last year's national meet, were snubbed by the pollsters almost entirely. OBU received four points in the poll, the equivalent of a No. 31 ranking.

No. 21 Oklahoma Christian is the favorite in the region and is the only Region VI team among the Top 25. OBU was the only other school to garner any recognition in the poll.

The Bison and Lady Bison begin cross country season Sept. 4 at Southern Nazarene.