Lions Ranked Third in Southeast Region
MARS HILL, N.C.-- The Mars Hill men's cross country team is ranked third in the Southeast Region in the latest U.S. Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) Poll, which was released Tuesday.
This is the third consecutive week the Lions have held the number three ranking in the region. This past week, MHC finished sixth at the Royals Pre-Region Cross Country Challenge, which was held at McAlpine Creek Park in Charlotte. The meet included teams and runners from all NCAA Divisions, as well as the NAIA and NJCAA ranks. Lion runners averaged a season-best time of 26:00.42 at the event, which eclipsed their previous season-high by nearly 30 seconds.
Mars Hill has been ranked between third and fifth in the Southeast Region in every USTFCCA poll this season. Mount Olive, the only Division II school to place ahead of the Lions at the Royals Pre-Region Cross Country Challenge, is ranked first in the region. King College is ranked second.
Mars Hill will compete in the South Atlantic Conference Championships this Saturday, Oct. 20 in Greeneville, Tenn. Race time is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. The Lions will be seeking their 16th-straight SAC Championship.
Click Here for USTFCCCA Regional Rankings
USTFCCCA rankings are determined subjectively by a single-member coach in each respective region. The regional representative is tasked with weighing returning team strength with current-season results in determining predicted finish at the NCAA Regional Championships. The top three teams at Regionals receive automatic-qualifying bids to the NCAA National Championship.
The Lions placed fourth in last season's Southeast Region championship. This year's Southeast Regional Championship will be held in Charlotte, N.C. on Nov. 3. The National Championship will be held Nov. 17 in Joplin, Mo.