Cross Country (M)
Robert Black

Razorbacks Viewed as Contender in Preseason Rankings

August 29, 2017

NEW ORLEANS — The Arkansas men’s cross country team enters 2017 as podium favorites, ranked fourth in the country in the USTFCCCA Preseason National Coaches Poll, announced Tuesday afternoon.

Arkansas’ last preseason top-four appearance was in 2016 when they opened up at No. 2.

The Razorbacks are one of only two Southeastern Conference teams featured amount the preseason rankings with Ole Miss checking in at No. 18.

Arkansas ended the 2017 season with a top-five finish at the NCAA Championships, marking the first time in 10 years the Razorbacks have placed in the top five at the national competition.

The Razorbacks return the majority of its NCAA top-five finishing team including two-time All-American Jack Bruce, All-American Alex George, and All-Region performer Andrew Ronoh.

USTFCCCA Preseason Coaches Poll

  1. Northern Arizona
  2. Stanford
  3. Syracuse
  4. Arkansas
  5. Colorado
  6. BYU
  7. Wisconsin
  8. Iona
  9. Oregon
  10. Oklahoma State
  11. Washington State
  12. Iowa State
  13. Virginia
  14. Portland
  15. Southern Utah
  16. Georgetown
  17. Furman
  18. Colorado State
  19. Ole Miss
  20. Tulsa
  21. Middle Tennessee
  22. Eastern Michigan
  23. Michigan State
  24. Boise State
  25. UCLA
  26. Virginia Tech
  27. Illinois
  28. NC State
  29. Columbia
  30. Texas

Monday, the Division I Preseason Regional Rankings (South Central) and the SEC Cross Country Coaches Preseason Poll were released, each having Arkansas finishing in the top spot in their respective rankings.

Arkansas has won 24 out of 26 conference titles and laid claim to 37 regional championships dating back to 1976.

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

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 – Chile 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.

Powered by