2021 NCAA DII Men’s Cross Country Regional Rankings – Preseason
NEW ORLEANS – It feels great to be back.
Here is the preseason edition of the 2021 NCAA Division II Men’s Cross Country Regional Rankings, as released by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches’ Association (USTFCCCA) on Tuesday afternoon.
Atlantic Region
Charleston (W.VA.) and Davis & Elkins begin the season at No. 1 and No. 2, respectively.
The Golden Eagles, who finished 18th at the 2019 NCAA Division II Cross Country Championships, return two athletes from that squad two years ago. Kyle Hinson is their top returner and finished 55th individually, while David Cecchi has made tremendous strides on the track this past year.
The Senators, who finished 33rd at the 2019 NCAA Division II Cross Country Championships, return two from that team. Emeric Arnaud is expected to lead the team following an individual title at the Mountain East Conference Cross Country Championships this past year.
No. 3 Concord, No. 4 Edinboro and No. 5 Shippensburg round out the top-5.
Central Region
Missouri Southern and Augustana (S.D.) begin the season at No. 1 and No. 2, respectively.
The Lions, who finished 14th at the 2019 NCAA Division II Cross Country Championships, welcome back Gidieon Kimutai and Ryan Riddle in their lineup. Kimutai finished fifth two years ago in Sacramento, California and joined Riddle on the third-place Distance Medley Relay team at the 2021 NCAA Division II Indoor Track & Field Championships. Riddle also finished third in the mile this past indoor season.
The Vikings, who finished sixth at the 2019 NCAA Division II Cross Country Championships, bring back three athletes from that squad two years ago. Austin Miller, who finished 65th in cross country in 2019, will be their top-returner and look to build off of a track season that saw him make the finals of the 800 and mile at the 2021 NCAA Division II Indoor Track & Field Championships. The Vikings will also enjoy the return of Alec Kray from injury, as he boasts a 13:56 PR in the 5000.
No. 3 Northwest Missouri, No. 4 Nebraska-Kearney and No. 5 Pittsburg State round out the top-5.
East Region
American International and Southern Connecticut begin the season at No. 1 and No. 2, respectively.
The Yellow Jackets, who finished 24th at the 2019 NCAA Division II Cross Country Championships, return four athletes from two years ago. Ezra Mutai is the unquestionable leader of the pack and a heavy contender for the individual crown – he is the defending champion in cross country and added a national title in the 10,000 at the 2021 NCAA Division II Outdoor Track & Field Championships. AIC’s lineup will be bolstered with the return of Titus Kiptoo and several newcomers.
The Owls did not qualify a team or an individual to the 2019 NCAA Division II Cross Country Championships, but did return six of their seven athletes from their team two years ago. The Owls look forward to the return of Terrell Patterson, who missed the East Regional Championship due to an injury.
No. 3 Roberts Wesleyan, No. 4 Stonehill and No. 5 Franklin Pierce round out the top-5.
Midwest Region
Grand Valley State and Lewis begin the season at No. 1 and No. 2, respectively.
The Lakers, who finished fourth at the 2019 NCAA Division II Cross Country Championships, return five of their top-7 from two years ago. Tanner Chada (24th), Noah Steffen (27th) and Ben Zaremba (34th) were All-Americans that year for the Lakers. Bolstering their lineup is Enael Woldemichael, who finished sixth at the 2018 NCAA Division II Championships, and Isaac Harding, who finished 44th at the 2019 NCAA Division I Cross Country Championships while at Michigan.
The Flyers did not qualify a team or individual to the 2019 NCAA Division II Cross Country Championships, but is eyeing a top-2 finish at the Midwest Regional Championship and punch their ticket to the NCAA Championships for the first time since 2017. Lewis will return its entire top-5 from the 2020 GLVC Cross Country Championships, which include Anthony Farmer and Dustin Macuiba. The Flyers also add in solid graduate transfers to strengthen their lineup.
No. 3 Southern Indiana, No. 4 Walsh and No. 5 Saginaw Valley State round out the top-5.
South Region
Alabama-Huntsville and Lee (Tenn.) begin the season at No. 1 and No. 2, respectively.
The Chargers, who finished 19th at the 2019 NCAA Division II Cross Country Championships, only lost one athlete from their team two years ago. Expect the Chargers to rely on some strong pack running and be led by Jay Day, Harold LaCroix and Alex Herbst.
The Flames, who finished 27th at the 2019 NCAA Division II Cross Country Championships, bring back the same team from two years ago with the addition of Christian Noble. Remember – Noble is the NCAA Division II record holder indoors at 3000 and 5000, and a two-time national champion. The Flames also have several newcomers that could make an immediate impact.
No. 3 Mississippi College, No. 4 Embry-Riddle (Fla.) and No. 5 Florida Southern round out the top-5.
South Central Region
Colorado School of Mines and Adams State begin the season at No. 1 and No. 2, respectively.
The Orediggers, who won the 2019 NCAA Division II Cross Country Championships, are returning a strong lineup that features four All-Americans from that season – Kyle Moran (4th), Dylan Ko (7th), Luc Hagen (15th) and Jake Mitchen (20th). Loic Scomparin, Dillon Powell and Luke Julian also hold All-America honors from this past indoor and outdoor season.
The Grizzlies, who finished second at the 2019 NCAA Division II Cross Country Championships, only return two from their runner-up squad two years ago and are in a rebuilding mode this year. Carson Bix is Adams State’s top returner after earning All-America honors that year, finishing 10th individually. He also finished second in the 5000 at the 2021 NCAA Division II Outdoor Track & Field Championships.
No. 3 Western Colorado, No. 4 Colorado Christian and No. 5 West Texas A&M round out the top-5.
Southeast Region
Queens (N.C.) and Augusta begin the season at No. 1 and No. 2, respectively.
The Royals, who finished eighth at the 2019 NCAA Division II Cross Country Championships, have three athletes returning from that team two years ago. Seb Anthony is their top returner and has momentum from a strong track & field campaign in 2021, where he was the indoor runner-up over 800 meters and finished sixth outdoors.
The Jags, who finished ninth at the 2019 NCAA Division II Cross Country Championships, will have four returners from their team two years ago. Chase Kennedy, who finished 58th individually in 2019, is expected to lead a squad mixed with veterans and seven freshmen.
No. 3 Wingate, No. 4 Flagler and No. 5 Anderson (S.C.) round out the top-5.
West Region
Chico State and Cal State Stanislaus begin the season at No. 1 and No. 2, respectively.
The Wildcats, who finished third at the 2019 NCAA Division II Cross Country Championships, will have four returning athletes from that lineup two years ago, including two All-Americans and three that finished in the top-50 – Wyatt Baxter (26th), Jack Emanuel (30th) and Rory Abberton (42nd). Chico State also brought in several newcomers that could make some noise and find themselves in the mix.
The Warriors, who finished 11th at the 2019 NCAA Division II Cross Country Championships, have just two athletes returning from that lineup two years ago in Tomas Huerta and Andrew Vazquez. A talented group of transfers are also developing well and expected to make an impact on the team.
No. 3 Fresno Pacific, No. 4 Western Washington and No. 5 Cal State San Marcos round out the top-5.
