NEW ORLEANS --- The Western Oregon men's cross country team will enter the season ranked fifth in the west region while the women are seventh according to the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association polls released Tuesday.

The WOU men are the second-highest RMAC team in the poll, only behind Western Washington (second). Chico State was voted first while Cal Poly Pomona was third and Biola was fourth.

Following WOU was fellow GNAC schools Alaska Anchorage and Northwest Nazarene.

As for the women, they also were voted the second-highest GNAC school - again behind Western Washington (sixth). Chico State was voted first while Stanislaus State and Cal Poly Pomona wrapped up the top three.

The Wolves open the season Sept. 11 at home in the Ash Creek Collegiate.