NEW ORLEANS -- Continuing to earn high marks for its work during the 2026 campaign, the Christopher Newport women's cross country team remained third in the latest South Region Rankings, which were compiled by the United States Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association.

The Captains have been slotted third in the South for four straight weeks, marking the first time CNU has held down a top-three spot in four consecutive polls since the start of the 2015 season.

Christopher Newport was ranked sixth in the region in the preseason poll before vaulting into the top-three after the program's first appearance of the year. Since then, the Captains have solidified their lofty spot in the South while becoming entrenched in the No. 3 position.

At the top of the poll, Emory remained in the No. 1 spot, while Washington and Lee held firm in second. Following the Captains, Rhodes and Southern Virginia rounded out the top-five.

Along with CNU, two other Coast-to-Coast Athletic Conference programs earned regional recognition. Salisbury was ranked third in the Mid-Atlantic, while UC Santa Cruz was slotted sixth in the West.

Christopher Newport kept its spot near the top of the rankings despite an abbreviated appearance at the Paul Short Run last week. As a result of elevated temperatures in Pennsylvania, the majority of the competition was canceled, which prevented the Captains from taking part in the team portion of the meet.

Prior to last week's outing, the squad starred at the CNU Invitational in September. During their home meet, Sarah Dake led the Captains with a second-place finish while throwing down a new course-best time in 22:18.8. Additionally, Kayla Lopez (22:31.0) and Ella Rafat (23:38.6) also posted sub-24-minute clockings.

Among other standouts at the CNU Invitational, four additional veterans posted course-best times alongside Dake and Lopez. Headlining that group, Katherine Streeter finished in 24:09.6, while Alexis Rose (24:40.3), Katelyn White (25:10.0), and Sydney Chipperfield (25:18.1) also set new personal standards at Lee Hall Mansion.

Christopher Newport will return to action on October 17 with a trip to Rowan's Inter-Regional Border Battle, which will take place in Logan Township, New Jersey.

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