IRVINE, CA --- Back from camp and ready to improve on an eighth-place finish at the 2008 NAIA National Championships, Concordia women's cross country starts this season with a No. 4 rating, it was announced Wednesday.

The Eagles, who finished last year ranked No. 5, start out with their highest national preseason ranking since 2007, and with three returning All-GSAC performers, have a good chance to perform up to the high standards of the NAIA's top-5.

"We're very pleased to start off the preseason with a No. 4 ranking," head coach Martin Gonzalez, starting his 10th year at Concordia, said. "You can't get too excited, since it's only the preseason, but we are looking forward to the competition, and to bringing out the best in our team throughout the season."

Gonzalez returns an All-GSAC trio in sophomores Rocio Pelayo and Violet Mokaya, and senior Aybuke Keehn, as well as junior Amy Lund and senior April Harris.

Additionally, a quartet of newcomers, led by sophomore Christine Gilbert, joins an already stout class of returners. Freshman athletes Jennifer Mallen, Alyssa Tworek and Michelle Urata comprise the remainder of the quartet.

Concordia's first event is Saturday, Sept. 12, when the men's and women's teams compete at the Asics/UC Irvine Invitational, starting at 8 a.m. in Irvine.