CANYON, TX- The West Texas A&M Buffs are staying ranked at #9 in the week one poll by the U.S. Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) announced this afternoon. The poll is conducted by counting votes from eight member coaches, one from each of the division's eight regions. 
 
The West Texas A&M Buffs were voted 9^th for the second straight week on the national poll and received 177 points. In addition to being ranked 9^th nationally, the Buffs were voted to finish third in the regional rankings. WT was only one of two Lone Star Conference teams selected to finish in the top-10 of the regional rankings. Dallas Baptist was picked to finish eighth. 
 
Six South Central Region teams are also ranked in the Top 30 with Colorado School of Mines taking the #1 spot followed by #2 Adams State, #6 Colorado Christian, #12 Western Colorado, #21 UC-Colorado Springs and #25 CSU Pueblo. 
 
The Buffs were projected to receive an automatic qualify (AQ) for the NCAA DII National Championship held later this season in November. They are the only LSC team on both the men's and women's teams projected with the AQ. #1 Colorado School of Mines and #2 Adams State were also predicted to have an AQ this season. 
 
COMING UP
The Buffs will compete in their second race of the 2023 season this Friday, Sept. 15 at the Texas Tech Open in Lubbock, Texas. The womens division will start their 5k race at 8:15 a.m.