2021 NCAA DII Men’s Cross Country Regional Rankings – Week 3

NEW ORLEANS – Another week down and another set of rankings in the 2021 cross country season!

Here is the newest edition of the 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

There were several changes among the top-5 teams in the Atlantic Region.

Charleston (W.VA) and Edinboro remain No. 1 and No. 2, respectively, while the next three spots changed: No. 3 Shippensburg (up one from No. 4), No. 4 Concord (up one from No. 5) and No. 5 Slippery Rock (up four from No. 9). The Golden Eagles, Fighting Scots and the Rock finished first, third and fourth, respectively, at the LHU Open/Invitational this past weekend, as the Rock finished 12 points ahead of fifth-place and former No. 3 (now No. 6) West Liberty State. Concord placed fourth at the Queen City Invite.

Central Region

There were no changes among the top-5 teams in the Central Region.

Augustana (S.D.) and Pittsburg State remain No. 1 and No. 2, respectively, followed by No. 3 Missouri Southern, No. 4 Northwest Missouri and No. 5 Neb.-Kearney. While there won’t be head-to-head competition among these five teams this upcoming weekend, the Vikings will head to the Chili Pepper Festival and the Lopers will compete at the Briar Cliff Invitational.

East Region

There were two changes among the top-5 teams in the East Region.

American International, Southern Connecticut and Franklin Pierce held steady at No. 1, No. 2 and No. 4, respectively. No. 3 Stonehill and No. 5 Roberts Wesleyan traded places from a week ago after the Skyhawks defeated the Eagles at the Harry F. Anderson Invitational, 55-66. The Yellow Jackets raced several athletes outside of their top-7 at the Ted Owen Invitational.

Midwest Region

There were several changes among the top-5 teams in the Midwest Region.

Grand Valley State and Southern Indiana remain No. 1 and No. 2, respectively. Lewis moved into the No. 3 spot and bumped Walsh back to No. 4, while Wayne State (Mich.) gained one spot to No. 5. Two teams were in action this past weekend: the Cavaliers placed second at the LHU Open/Invitational; the Warriors captured the team title at the Roy Griak Invitational and took down former No. 5 (now No. 6) Michigan Tech, who finished fourth.

South Region

There were no changes among the top-5 teams in the South Region.

Alabama-Huntsville and Lee (Tenn.) remain No. 1 and No. 2, respectively, followed by No. 3 Florida Southern, No. 4 Mississippi College and No. 5 Tampa. The Choctaws were the only team in action this weekend and finished fifth at the Lake Charles Toyota Cowboy Stampede with several runners outside of their top-7. Florida Southern and Tampa will go head-to-head at the Division II National Preview this weekend.

South Central Region

There were no changes among the top-5 teams in the South Central Region.

Colorado School of Mines and Adams State remained at No. 1 and No. 2, respectively, followed by No. 3 Colorado Christian, No. 4 UC-Colorado Springs and No. 5 Western Colorado. The Mountaineers rested their top runners and displayed its depth at the Mesa Invite, finishing second to No. 7 Colorado Mesa by two points. Colorado School of Mines and Western Colorado will toe the line at the Chile Pepper Festival this weekend.

Southeast Region

There were no changes among the top-5 teams in the Southeast Region.

Queens (N.C.) and Augusta remain No. 1 and No. 2, respectively, followed by No. 3 Wingate, No. 4 Anderson (S.C.) and No. 5 Flager. Three teams competed this past weekend: the Royals finished second at the Queen City Invite and the Trojans came in third; the Saints ran their ‘B’ squad at the Embry-Riddle Cross Country Classic. Augusta and Flagler will go head-to-head at the Alexander Asics Invitational.

West Region

There were a slew of changes among the top-5 teams in the West Region.

No. 1 Chico State was the only team to remain steady. The Wildcats finished second by two points at the Cougar Classic to NCAA Division III Pomona-Pitzer, who is ranked No. 3 nationally. No. 2 Fresno Pacific, No. 3 Simon Fraser, No. 4 Biola (Calif.) and No. 5 Cal State San Marcos each moved up one spot: SFU placed second at the Mike Johnson Classic to NCAA Division I Portland; the Eagles captured runner-up honors at the The Master’s University Invitational; the Cougars beat former No. 2 (now No. 6) Cal State Stanislaus by three points for third at the Cougar Challenge.