Cross Country (M)
Robert Black

Arkansas Returns in Region's Top Spot

August 28, 2017

NEW ORLEANS —  Following a fifth place finish at the 2016 NCAA Championships, the Arkansas men’s cross country team heads into its 2017 campaign as the preseason pick to win the South Central region for the fifth-consecutive year, the USTFCCCA announced Monday afternoon.

The Razorbacks return the majority of its NCAA top-five finishing team including two-time All American Jack Bruce, All-American Alex George and Andrew Ronoh, who finished 2nd at last year’s meet, earning All-Region honors.

Dating back to 1976, Arkansas has claimed 37 regional championships.

The 2017 NCAA South Central Region Championship is slated for Friday, Nov. 10 in College Station, Texas.

2017 Division I Preseason Regional Rankings (South Central)

  1. Arkansas
  2. Texas
  3. UT Arlington
  4. Texas A&M
  5. Baylor
  6. Lamar
  7. Rice
  8. Texas State
  9. North Texas
  10. Tulane
  11. Louisiana
  12. Stephen F. Austin
  13. UTRGV
  14. McNeese State
  15. Houston

 Southeastern Conference Coaches Poll

In addition to topping the region in preseason rankings, the Arkansas men have been unanimously predicted to win the 2017 SEC Cross Country Championship in a poll of the conference’s head coaches, earning 11 first place votes.

Rankings were tabulated with a vote for first place resulting in one point. A team with all first place votes would receive 11 points, coaches were not permitted to vote for their own teams.

The Razorbacks have claimed seven-consecutive SEC Championships and 24 in the last 26 years. In total Arkansas has claimed 49 conference titles.

Arkansas returns four All-SEC performers from 2016, including George, Bruce, Ronoh and Austen Dalquist. The Razorbacks also return Carter Persyn, who was the conference’s top newcomer at last season’s meet.

The 2017 SEC Championship is scheduled for Friday, October 27 in Athens, Georgia.

2017 SEC Cross Country Coaches Preseason Poll (points)

  1. Arkansas (11)
  2. Alabama (26)
  3. Ole Miss (29)
  4. Georgia (48)
  5. Kentucky (50)
  6. Missouri (58)
  7. Texas A&M (76)
  8. Florida (85)
  9. Auburn (87)
  10. Tennessee (91)
  11. LSU (112)
  12. Vanderbilt (119)

2017 Cross Country Schedule
Fri, Sept. 1 – Cowboy Duals (Stillwater, Okla.)
Fri, Sept. 15 – Iona College Meet of Champions
Sat, Sept. 30 – Chili Pepper Festival (Agri Park)
Sat, Oct. 14 – Pre-Nationals (Louisville, Ky.)
Fri, Oct. 27 – SEC Championship (Athens, Ga.)
Fri, Nov. 10 – NCAA South Central Regional (College Station, Texas)
Sat, Nov. 18 – NCAA Championship (Louisville, Ky.)

For more information on Arkansas track and field including in-meet updates, follow @RazorbackTF on Twitter.

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