State College, Pa., Sept. 19, 2002 - The Penn State women's cross country team leapt into the Top 25 of the FinishLynx/NCAA Division I Cross Country Poll this week debuting in a 14th place tie with Marquette.

The Lions are coming off a dominating victory over 16 teams at home in the Spiked Shoe meet and a close loss to then No. 3 ranked Georgetown in their last outing. Penn State downed Yale, which checked in at No. 16 in the latest poll, in that meet and fell just five points shy of the Hoyas who moved up to No. 2 this week just behind poll leader Brigham Young University.

The Lions have been led in their first two races by freshman sensation Tracey Brauksieck (Homer, N.Y.). Brauksieck won the Spiked Shoe Meet and finished third in the tri-meet against Georgetown and Yale. She was named the Big Ten Runner of the Week following her Spiked Shoe victory.

Penn State is next in action Sept. 28 as they look to defend their team title at the Paul Short Invitational in Bethlehem, Pa.