Men's Cross Country Ranked First in Preseason Regional Rankings
8/30/2010 12:00:00 AM
Aug. 30, 2010
NEW ORLEANS -
The University of Alabama men's cross country team is currently ranked first in the South Region according to the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association's (USTFCCCA) annual preseason regional rankings released Monday.
The USTFCCCA's regional rankings are reflection of a team's strengths entering the year based on returning and new runners on each squad as selected by a representative in each region.
Alabama's men's team is no stranger to the top spot in the region, winning the South Region Championship three straight years and seven times in the last 11 years. The Tide returns four All-South runners from 2009, Andrew Kirwa, Fred Samoei, Julius Bor and Moses Kiptoo and is coached by five-time South Region Coach of the Year Joe Walker.
The men's squad opens its season the following week at the Chattanooga Powerade Invitational. The men's and women's teams will come together on Sept. 18 for their lone home event of the season the Crimson Classic at Harry Pritchett Running Park.
USTFCCCA South Regional Rankings (Aug. 30)
| Rank | School | 2009 FINISH |
| 1 | Alabama | 1 |
| 2 | Florida State | 2 |
| 3 | Florida | 5 |
| 4 | Tennessee | 6 |
| 5 | Georgia | 4 |
| 6 | South Alabama | 7 |
| 7 | Auburn | 3 |
| 8 | Kennesaw State | 8 |
| 9 | Belmont | 10 |
| 10 | Mississippi State | 9 |
| 11 | Chattanooga | 12 |
| 12 | Georgia Tech | 11 |
| 13 | Jacksonville State | 19 |
| 14 | USF | 19 |
| 15 | Lipscomb | 16 |
