Hutchinson Women's Cross Country Climbs to No. 10 in National Rankings
Information obtained from HCC officials
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The Hutchinson Community College women's cross country team has achieved a significant milestone, breaking into the Top 10 of the USTFCCCA/NJCAA Division I Women's Cross Country national rankings.
The Blue Dragons surged five spots from their preseason position to claim the No. 10 ranking in Wednesday's release, establishing themselves as the highest-ranked team in the Jayhawk Conference.
The remarkable ascent comes after an impressive season debut at the Terry Masterson Twilight Classic, where Hutchinson delivered a commanding second-place finish behind only NCAA Division I powerhouse Wichita State.
Leading the charge was freshman standout Mildred Rono, who dominated the individual competition by capturing the three-mile race and obliterating the course record by an astounding 39 seconds. Her record-breaking performance exemplified the talent and determination driving the Blue Dragons' success.
The national recognition marks the fourth consecutive season Hutchinson's women's cross country program has earned Top 10 status, cementing the team's reputation as a perennial contender on the national stage.
The Blue Dragons will look to build on their early-season momentum Saturday at the Missouri Southern Stampede in Joplin, Missouri, in what will be their second competition of the campaign.
With their combination of veteran leadership and emerging talent like Rono, Hutchinson appears well-positioned to maintain their elite status throughout the season as they pursue another championship-caliber campaign.