Men's Cross Country Leads Preseason NCAA South Region Rankings
9/14/2009 12:00:00 AM
Sept. 14, 2009
NEW ORLEANS, La. - The U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association released its 2009 Preseason Division 1 Regional Rankings on Monday and the University of Alabama men landed in the No. 1 position in the South Region.
"It's great once again to be recognized with a preseason honor and we, of course, prioritize making the national field every year and being one of the top 31 teams in the country," cross country coach Joe Walker said. "While the region title is always nice, the goal of that meet is to get through and get yourself to the NCAA Championships."
The Crimson Tide have won six of the last 10 cross country region titles and are the current two-time defending South Region Champions after winning back-to-back titles in 2007 and 2008. Alabama has only won three straight region titles once in school history with those three coming in 1999-2001.
"We are excited about being able to run on our home course this year and hopefully have a competitive, but controlled race so that we are ready to go over 10,000 meters again eight days later in Terre Haute, Ind.," Walker said.
Of the top 15 teams ranked, Alabama holds the No. 1 one ranking over six other SEC schools, the closest being Auburn who is picked second. ACC power Florida State is third with Florida and South Alabama rounding out the top five, respectively.
"It is indeed a great honor to be chosen as the No. 1 team in our region," head track and field coach Harvey Glance said. "We're defending Region Champions, which speaks volumes for our athletes, our coaching and the way we've been recruiting. Consistency is what we're after and anytime we get a ranking like this, it shows we're working hard. I'm certainly proud of Coach Walker and that we've been able to get out and recruit the type of athletes we've had and have."
The University of Alabama will look for their third straight title on their home course on Nov. 14. The 2009 NCAA South Region Cross Country Championships will be held at the Harry Pritchett Running Park.
NCAA South Region Preseason Rankings
| Rank | Team |
| 1 | Alabama |
| 2 | Auburn |
| 3 | Florida State |
| 4 | Florida |
| 5 | South Alabama |
| 6 | Tennessee |
| 7 | East Tennessee State |
| 8 | Mississippi State |
| 9 | Georgia |
| 10 | Middle Tennessee State |
| 11 | Belmont |
| 12 | Chattanooga |
| 13 | Ole Miss |
| 14 | Georgia State |
| 15 | Lipscomb |
