2024 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 2024 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 Saturday is set for November 9.

Atlantic Region

Projected AQ: No. 1 Charleston (W.Va.), No. 2 Davis & Elkins, No. 3 Shippensburg

Next in Line: No. 4 Slippery Rock

Also in the Hunt: No. 5 Indiana (Pa.)

Notes: A mere nine points separated the top three teams at the 2023 Atlantic Regional Championships. This year is already trending to yield the same result. Charleston (W.Va.) will be forced to tap into their depth after losing their top two individuals, turning to individual title contender Zane Chalker to lead the charge. On the other hand, Davis & Elkins return five of their top seven, filling in the gaps with a few transfers who will hopefully prevent any tiebreakers this time around. The Raiders of Shippensburg opted for a similar strategy and may look to play spoilers to the two counterparts above with the aid of a bevy of newcomers. 

Central Region

Projected AQ: No. 1 East Central, No. 2 Pittsburg State, No. 3 Northwest Missouri

Next in Line: No. 4 Washburn

Also in the Hunt: No. 5 Nebraska Kearney

Notes: It’s deja vu in the Central Region. Not one, not two, but all three projected podium finishers have the same top-seven as they did during the 2023 campaign. East Central won the top spot due to their four All-American honorees, in addition to recruiting Brian Mitei during the offseason, the number nine spot at last year’s Regional Championships. Pittsburg State and Northwest Missouri will have the difficult task of chasing down the Tigers, albeit with another year of experience under their belt. 

East Region

Projected AQ: No. 1 Southern Connecticut, No. 2 Roberts Wesleyan, No. 3 Daemen

Next in Line: No. 4 Adelphi

Also in the Hunt: No. 5 Assumption

Notes: Two experienced transfers and a handful of returners have Southern Connecticut in the number one spot to begin the season. Coupled with 2023 East Region runner-up Jon Volpe, the Owls are flying high already. Roberts Wesleyan and Daemen are not out of the running just yet though. Both the Red Hawks and Wildcats flaunt strong lineups of their own and could easily pose a threat.

Midwest Region

Projected AQ: No. 1 Grand Valley State, No. 2 Lewis, No. 3 Saginaw Valley State

Next in Line: No. 4 Walsh

Also in the Hunt: No. 5 Michigan Tech

Notes: Grand Valley State welcomes back its top four returners from a team that put up just 48 points at the 2023 regional meet. With an intersquad battle for the remaining spots, they will be deep as always. After a tough day at last year’s NCAA Championships, Lewis is poised for another go, bringing back their entire top-five. Saginaw Valley State’s roster features more than ten guys that have cracked the 15:00 5k mark. Without a true number one though, the Cardinals will rely on their track success transferring to the grass. 

South Region

Projected AQ: No. 1 Lee (Tenn.), No. 2 Mississippi College, No. 3 Florida Southern

Next in Line: No. 4 Alabama Huntsville

Also in the Hunt: No. 5 Embry Riddle

Notes: Top to bottom, Lee (Tenn.) is a force to be reckoned with. Coming off of a 14th place finish at the 2023 NCAA Championships, the Flames have five of their top seven back in business and at least four more individuals whose times fit right in. Mississippi College and Florida Southern aren’t far behind.

South Central Region

Projected AQ: No. 1 Colo. School of Mines, No. 2 West Texas A&M, No. 3 Adams State

Next in Line: No. 4 Western Colorado

Also in the Hunt: No. 5 CSU Pueblo

Notes: Between Loic Scamparin, Paul Knight, and Logan Bocovich, a trio that finished 3rd, 6th, and 9th at the 2023 South Central Regional Championships, Colo. School of Mines is sitting comfortably at the top. A slew of eager underclassmen bodes well for rounding out the Orediggers’ roster. The goal for West Texas A&M and Adams State is to shake up that confidence. The Buffs boast a couple of All-Americans to their name and will stack up well at the front of the pack. The question becomes, can they find the second half of the equation to winning a title? The Grizzlies are missing some of their usual firepower after losing four of their top seven, but the good news is that NCAA outdoor 5000-meter champion Romaine Legendre is back, as well as some strong transfers.

Southeast Region

Projected AQ: No. 1 Wingate, No. 2 Augusta, No. 3 Anderson (S.C.)

Next in Line: No. 4 Catawba

Also in the Hunt: No. 5 Flagler

Notes: Wingate has all the right markings to hang a second banner. The 2023 NCAA Champions are bringing back six out of their top seven, and on top of that, have another three guys who could add to the mix. Augusta has one thing on the Bulldogs however, the Jaguars are seven for seven on returners. There’s something to be said about team chemistry, especially with a squad that was 15th in the nation.

West Region

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

Next in Line: No. 4 CAL Poly Pomona

Also in the Hunt: No. 5 Biola

Notes: Until they stop winning regional titles, Chico State will remain the No. 1 pick. Given the All-Region accolades shared between their few returners and two time All-American Brayden Mclaughlin, it’s going to take something special to knock the Wildcats off. Western Washington will definitely take a crack at it, answering the challenge with five returners of its own. Meanwhile, Azusa Pacific just graduated their top three.