2023 NCAA DII Men’s Cross Country Regional Rankings – Week 5

NEW ORLEANS – You can’t slow them down!

Here is the week five 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

Projected AQs: No. 1 Charleston (W.Va.), No. 2 Shippensburg, No. 3 Slippery Rock

Next in Line: No. 4 Davis and Elkins

Also in the Hunt: No. 5 Concord

Note: No changes in the top five this week.  

Central Region

Projected AQs: No. 1 East Central (Okla.), No. 2 Augustana (S.D.), No. 3 Nebraska-Kearney

Next in Line: No. 4 Central Missouri

Also in the Hunt: No. 5 Pittsburg State

Note: No. 1 East Central (Okla.) was just one point shy of a perfect score at the Old Glory Gallup in Dallas, Texas on Saturday. There were 28 teams entered in the race and Dallas Baptist, the closest competitor, totaled 103. With four individuals under 24 minutes, the Tigers are looking sharp in October. 

East Region

Projected AQs: No. 1 Roberts Wesleyan, No. 2 Franklin Pierce, No. 3 Southern Connecticut State

Next in Line: No. 4 Daemen

Also in the Hunt: No. 5 Bentley

Note: Franklin Pierce stole the No. 2 position from Southern Connecticut State while further down the line Daemen and Bentley seized the No. 4 and No. 5 slots. The Wildcats and Falcons saw impressive outings at the Highlander Invite and NEICAAA Championships, respectively.

Midwest Region

Projected AQs: No. 1 Grand Valley State, No. 2 Lewis, No. 3 Walsh

Next in Line: No. 4 Saginaw Valley

Also in the Hunt: No. 5 Wayne State (Mich.)

Note: Home field advantage in cross country doesn’t happen very often, yet, when it does, it can make all the difference. No. 2 Lewis played right into that trope, amassing a third-place finish at the Lewis Crossover above units like Western Washington and No. 4 Saginaw Valley State. Although Walsh also fell victim to the Flyers performance, the Cavaliers hopped up to the No. 3 spot with a 33-second pack spread. 

South Region

Projected AQs: No. 1 Lee (Tenn.), No. 2 Alabama-Huntsville, No. 3 Embry Riddle

Next in Line: No. 4 Mississippi College

Also in the Hunt: No. 5 Florida Southern

Note: If there was an indicator for how the South Region rankings would shape up this week, the arrow would have pointed to the UAH Charger Invitational. No. 2 Alabama-Huntsville, No. 3 Embry Riddle (Fla.), and No. 4 Mississippi College all had high hopes going in, but when the dust settled it was the host team that surfaced on top. 

South Central Region

Projected AQs: No. 1 Colorado School of Mines, No. 2 Adams State, No. 3 Colorado Christian

Next in Line: No. 4 West Texas A&M

Also in the Hunt: No. 5 Western Colorado

Note: No changes in the top five this week. 

Southeast Region

Projected AQs: No. 1 Wingate, No. 2 Augusta, No. 3 Catawba

Next in Line: No. 4 Flagler

Also in the Hunt: No. 5 Anderson (S.C.)

Note: No changes in the top five this week.

West Region

Projected AQs: No. 1 Chico State, No. 2 Azusa Pacific, No. 3 Western Washington

Next in Line: No. 4 CAL Poly Pomona

Also in the Hunt: No. 5 Alaska Anchorage

Note: No changes in the top five this week.