2023 NCAA DII Men’s Cross Country Regional Rankings – Preseason
NEW ORLEANS – Cross country is back!
Here is the preseason edition of the NCAA DII Men’s Cross Country Regional Rankings for the 2023 season, as released on Tuesday by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA).
Regional Rankings are determined subjectively by a single member coach in each respective region. The regional representative is tasked with weighing returning teams’ strength with current season results (if applicable) in determining a rank-order of squad potential. Only USTFCCCA member programs are eligible to receive a ranking. Teams with provisional status within the region may be ranked.
Regional Championships are set for Saturday, November 4.
Atlantic Region
No. 1 Charleston (W. Va.) will match their female counterpart at the top of the Atlantic Region to start the 2023 cross country season. The Golden Eagles return two heavy hitters in Iggy Chalker and Warren Thiel while enlisting a batch of rookies to aid their title aspirations. Off to an impressive start, No. 2 Shippensburg seeks to improve upon last season’s fifth place finish. Ian Sherlock is a name to watch out for on the Raider’s roster, as the 9:01 steeplechaser did not compete at the 2022 regional championships.
Concord, Slippery Rock, and IUP round out the preseason top-five.
Central Region
No. 1 Augustana (S.D.) are the front-runners to take the Central Region title come November, returning four of their top seven. With a slew of newcomers hoping to make some noise, the Vikings have earned their spot and are ready to defend it. Mounting the biggest attack is No. 2 Washburn who’s depth knows no bounds. Besides bringing back their entire 2022 lineup, the Ichabods added Benedict transfer, Donald Kibet, who may very well tip the scales.
Missouri Southern, Nebraska-Kearney, and East Central round out the preseason top-five.
East Region
No. 1 Southern Connecticut State returned five of their top seven from last year’s East Region Championship team. All it takes is five sticks to mount a strong score… In the interim, No. 2 Roberts Wesleyan could quickly become the favorites in a region that looks to be up for grabs. The Redhawks return every individual from their ECC Champion squad that clinched third place in 2022.
Franklin Pierce, Southern NH, and American International round out the preseason top-five.
Midwest Region
No. 1 Grand Valley will be devastated to lose Tanner Chada, but the quest for a Midwest Region title remains the same. The Lakers possess a heap of postseason experience with a trio of All-Americans and are likely to end up on the national podium once again. Their biggest rival will come in the form of No. 2 Saginaw Valley who will be hungry as ever for a trophy. If one of the low-sticks such as Tommy Hufton or Corey Bowers are able to step up, watch out for the Cardinals come November.
Illinois Springfield, Michigan Tech, and Lewis round out the preseason top-five.
South Region
Last year, No. 1 Lee (Tenn.) beat two top-ten national finishers during the regular season. Unfortunately, the combination of illness and bad luck (lost shoe) rendered the Flames unable to perform when it mattered the most. This year they will attempt to move past the misfortune and take another South Region title. With 10k National Champion, Jan Lucas Becker, at the helm, No. 2 Mississippi College will pose quite the threat. A lack of newcomers contributes to the slightly lower ranking, but don’t be quick to count out the Choctaws.
Alabama Huntsville, Embry Riddle (Fla.), and Florida Southern round out the preseason top-five.
South Central Region
No. 1 Colorado School of Mines will have their hands full trying to secure another South Central Region title. The 2022 National Champions lost a stack of talent over the offseason in Dillon Powell and Luke Julian alone. A few high-profile transfers will look to replace the Orediggers front-end influence. In a slightly different approach, No. 2 Adams State revamped their own incomplete roster with a host of junior college and international recruits. If the Grizzlies find some answers in the coming weeks it’s going to be quite the battle.
West Texas A&M, Colorado Christian, and Western Colorado round out the preseason top-five.
Southeast Region
No. 1 Wingate will be looking to repeat the near perfect season they put together in 2022. A single spot away from a national championship will have the Bulldogs drooling to take both the Southeast Region and National titles with a determined slew of returners led by Scott Nutter. No. 2 Anderson (S.C.) will have their work cut out for them after mounting a respectable 23rd place finish at NCAA’s last season. The Trojans will rely on Elliot Dotson and Spain Vaughan to lead the charge.
Augusta, Catawba, and Flagler round out the preseason top-five.
West Region
Until No. 1 Chico State proves they aren’t up to the challenge, the top spot in the West Region is theirs to lose. In spite of forfeiting a few key pieces to graduation, the Wildcats remain poised, as year in and year out they draft a stacked class of newcomers. No. 2 Western Washington is the best bet for an upset as their underclassmen foundation put up some serious times in the Spring. Returning all seven finishers from last year, the Vikings could topple the kings of the West sooner rather than later.
Azusa Pacific, Cal Poly Pomona, and Simon Fraser round out the preseason top-five.
