NEW ORLEANS -Despite a record-setting weekend as part of the largest Crimson Classic field in University of Alabama history, the Nicholls State University women's cross country team dropped two spots in the latest South Central Regional Rankings as the U.S. Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association released their week two rankings on Monday.

The Colonels entered the week ranked No. 13 in the South Central region and got a record performance from senior Lauren Jones.  Jones clocked in at 18:03.70 on the 5K course, establishing a new school record and taking 12th place.  Jones was followed by classmate Kadi Whisnant, who would have set a new school record had it not been for Jones.  Whisnant's 26th place 5K time of 18:30.70 goes down as the second best time in the program's history.

Unfortunately, for the Colonels, nagging injuries and a crowded field full of ranked teams didn't help the Nicholls cause.  Nicholls took eighth and finished behind regional rival Tulane.  The Green Wave, ranked No. 14 in the South Central region heading into the week, joined the McNeese Cowgirls in passing the Colonels in the standings.  Nicholls dropped from No. 13 to No. 15 in the South Central region despite their eighth place finish being separated from a top-five finish by less than 40 points.

"We we're a little beat up heading into this week, and this was our first full 5K race of the season," head coach Scott Williamson said. "We'll get healthy and get stronger and we can beat more of those teams late in the year at conference and regionals when it counts."

The Colonels will return to this weekend's tournament when they head to Pensacola, Fla. for the 2010 Gulf Coast Stampede hosted by the University of West Florida.