The Boilermakers are ranked in the season's inaugural poll in back-to-back years, after they checked in at No. 24 in the 2019 preseason poll. Last year marked the first time since at least 1998 that Purdue was ranked to begin the season.
"I am pleased to see our men's cross country team show consistency as one of the nation's premier cross country programs," Purdue head coach Norbert Elliott said. "I am especially proud of them for adjusting and coping with these unusual times."
The Boilermaker men are coming off one of their best seasons in program history in 2019. Purdue placed 11th at the 2019 NCAA Cross Country Championships, its best finish since 1950, after qualifying for the national championship meet in back-to-back years for the first time since 1985-86. The Boilermakers won their first-ever NCAA Regional and finished fourth at the Big Ten Championships with 82 points, their best point total since 1985.
Eight of Purdue's top-nine runners from last year's squad return this season. That includes senior Curt Eckstein, who placed 24th at the 2019 NCAA Championships and earned All-America honors. Eckstein is the 11th men's cross country All-American in team history and the third since 1987. Senior Brody Smith also is back after and Eckstein earned 2019 All-Big Ten Second Team accolades.
Additionally, Elliott earned the Earle Hayes Award as the USTFCCCA Great Lakes Region Coach of the Year. He is the first Purdue coach to earn the cross country accolade since at least 1998.
Purdue is one of four Big Ten Conference men's teams ranked in the first 2020 poll. Wisconsin is No. 12, Michigan comes in at No. 13 and Indiana is No. 18. Additionally, Penn State is receiving votes.
This season's men's and women's cross country schedules will be announced at a later date. The NCAA Division I Cross Country National Championships have been rescheduled for March 15, 2021.
For more on the Purdue cross country team, visit PurdueSports.com and follow and connect with the Boilermakers on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
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October 29, 2020 at 01:48AM
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Cross Country Men Ranked No. 22 in First National Poll - Purdue University Athletics - Purdue Boilermakers
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