2024 NCAA DII Men’s Cross Country Regional Rankings – Week 1

NEW ORLEANS – Week 1 did not disappoint! 

Here is the Week 1 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 Concord

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

Notes: No. 1 Charleston (W.Va.) kicked off the season with a strong showing at the Virginia Tech Invite, placing four in the top-15. The Golden Eagles already flashed signs of improvement, shaving a few seconds off their average finish between 2023 and 2024 at the Hokies course. Not to be outdone, No. 2 Davis & Elkins posted an impressive display at the Navy Invitational. Jan Thewes, a possible contender for the individual regional title, helped the Senators put five in the top-20 at a primarily Division I meet. Concord also vaulted their way into the top-5, jumping four spots in a single week to No. 4.

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: There were no changes in the top-5 in Week 1.

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 Bentley

Notes: Tensions are rising at the top of the East Region. It’s only a matter of time before the dam breaks and No .1 Southern Connecticut and No. 2 Roberts Wesleyan show their true colors. Until then, the focus shifts to the fringe which now belongs to No. 5 Bentley. The Falcons flew to victory at the Hartford short course, putting all seven runners in the top-20. 

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: There were no changes in the top-5 in Week 1.

South Region

Projected AQ: No. 1 Lee (Tenn.), No. 2  Florida Southern, No. 3 Alabama Huntsville

Next in Line: No. 4 Embry Riddle

Also in the Hunt: No. 5 Tampa

Notes: Cross country may be a team sport but it sure as heck doesn’t hurt having a true number one. Both No. 2 Florida Southern and No. 3 Alabama Huntsville seem to appreciate that if they didn’t already. Christian Giller helped the Mocs climb the rankings at the Southern Showcase, leading the way with a 24:29 8k. Meanwhile, Sam Wilheim and the Chargers traveled to the Virginia Invitational where they held their own against Division I powerhouses No. 6 North Carolina and No. 15 Virginia, earning a bump in the rankings thanks to his fourth place finish. 

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: There were no changes in the top-5 in Week 1.

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: There were no changes in the top-5 in Week 1.

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: There were no changes in the top-5 in Week 1.