CWU moves up to No. 5

INDIANAPOLIS — Central Washington moved up to fifth place in the most recent NCAA Division II super regional poll released Monday.

The Wildcats, unbeaten against Division II opposition, advanced after losses by Central Missouri and Midwestern State of Texas.

Central (5-0 GNAC, 6-1 overall) defeated Western Washington 50-28 on Saturday night at Qwest Field in Seattle. Central’s only loss of the season was a a last-second defeat at the hands of perennial Divison I Football Championship Subdivision power Montana.

West Texas A&M (4-0 Lone Star Conference, 7-0) remains at the top of the poll. The Buffaloes defeated Eastern New Mexico 51-27 on Saturday.

Abilene Christian (5-0 Lone Star, 6-0) is second in the poll after a 51-7 victory over Angelo State.

West Texas A&M plays Abilene Christian on Saturday.

Central Washington’s Great Northwest Athletic Conference is part of Super Regional Four, which is made up of the South Central and West Regions. It includes the Lone Star Conference and the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletic Association.

The Lone Star and MIAA champions earn automatic entry into the postseason. Teams from the GNAC must finish in the super regional top six to qualify for the Division II playoffs.

Central Washington travels to Arcata, Calif., to face Humboldt State (0-4, 2-5) on Saturday at 6 p.m.

1, West Texas A&M (7-0 overall, 6-0 Division II); 2, Abilene Christian (Texas) (6-0, 6-0); 3, Northwest Missouri State (6-1, 6-1); 4, Pittsburg State (Kan.) (6-1, 6-1); 5, Central Washington (6-1, 6-0); 6, Central Missouri (5-2, 5-2); 7, Texas A&M-Kingsville (5-2, 5-1); 8, Tarleton State (Texas) (6-1, 6-1); 9, Washburn (Kan.) (5-2, 4-2); 10, Nebraska-Omaha (4-2, 4-2).