In the latest edition of the NAIA coaches poll published on October 3, IIT has received enough votes (270) to be ranked the 17^th best team in the nation.  This marks the highest position ever achieved by an IIT athletics team on a national top 25 poll. The ranking comes after a strong showing last weekend at the Sean Earl Invitational. The ladies of Illinois Tech were the top NAIA finishing team and the 23^rd place team overall in the field of 51 (19 of the 22 teams in front of IIT are NCAA Div I programs).  Finishing over 2:50 in front of its closest rival IIT has taken another step closer to establishing itself amongst the NAIA and CCAC Conference elite.  The cross country programs are idle this weekend and return to action Saturday, October 13^th at the Brooks Invitational hosted by UW-Oshkosh.