FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. — The Coconino Community College women’s cross country team will enter the 2025 season on the national stage after being ranked No. 9 in the USTFCCCA NJCAA Division II Women’s Cross Country National Coaches’ Preseason Poll, released this week by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association.

The ranking places the Comets firmly among the nation’s best junior college programs. CCC joins a top 10 list headlined by Mesa Community College at No. 1, followed by Wallace State-Hanceville, Paradise Valley, Muskegon, and Cowley rounding out the top five. For CCC, the preseason recognition marks a significant milestone in the program’s growth and a clear sign of the respect it has earned within NJCAA cross country.

Head Coach Craig Hunt said the honor reflects the commitment of his student-athletes both on and off the course. “Being recognized in the top 10 nationally before we even race speaks volumes about how hard our women have worked and strength of our newcomers,” Hunt said. “It’s an honor to be ranked this high, and it sets the stage for an exciting season. Our goal now is to stay focused and use this as a springboard toward regionals and beyond.”

The Comets will not have to wait long to put their ranking to the test. Their season begins on Saturday, August 30, at the George Kyte Classic in Flagstaff, where they will race against a loaded field that includes NCAA Division I powers Northern Arizona, Arizona, and Arizona State. From there, CCC will travel to Prescott, Las Vegas, and Riverside before turning its focus toward the NJCAA Region 1 Championships in Gilbert on October 24. The season culminates at the NJCAA National Championships on November 8 in Fort Dodge, Iowa.

With a deep roster of returning sophomores and talented newcomers, the Comets are poised to back up their preseason ranking. The recognition provides momentum heading into the fall and a reminder that CCC women’s cross country has firmly established itself as one of the top programs in the nation.