2024 NCAA DII Men’s Cross Country Regional Rankings – Week 4

NEW ORLEANS – Racing means ranking.

Here is the Week 4 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 AQs: No. 1 Davis & Elkins, No. 2 Charleston (W.Va.), No. 3 Shippensburg

Next in Line: No. 4 Slippery Rock

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

Notes: It’s always a good time to have a great race. No. 4 Slippery Rock took that to heart at the Paul Short Run, clocking a 14th place finish in the Brown Race ahead of fellow Atlantic Region foes No. 5 Indiana (Pa.) and Concord. However, the ball remains in No. 1 Davis & Elkins’ court, as the Senators trounced all contenders on their way to the Lehigh trophy. 

Central Region

Projected AQs: No. 1 East Central (Okla.), No. 2 Northwest Missouri, No. 3 Washburn

Next in Line: No. 4 Pittsburg State

Also in the Hunt: No. 5 Augustana (S.D.)

Notes: Washburn and Pittsburg State traded places at the No. 3 and No. 4 positions while Augustana (S.D.) cracked the top-5 for the first time this season, landing at No. 5. 

East Region

Projected AQs: No. 1 Roberts Wesleyan, No. 2 Southern Connecticut, No. 3 Bentley

Next in Line: No. 4 Southern New Hampshire

Also in the Hunt: No. 5 Assumption

Notes: “Run as a pack” is common cross country advice. No. 4 Southern New Hampshire demonstrated why. The Penmen saw a four-second spread between their 2-3-4 on the way to a runner-up finish in the Green Race at the Paul Short Run. Just below, Assumption was allocated the No. 5 slot after defeating Caldwell head-to-head in the Brown Race.

Midwest Region

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

Next in Line: No. 4 Michigan Tech

Also in the Hunt: No. 5 Findlay

Notes: There were no changes in the top-5. 

South Region

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

Next in Line: No. 4 Embry-Riddle (Fla.)

Also in the Hunt: No. 5 Mississippi College

Notes: There were no changes in the top-5.

South Central Region

Projected AQs: No. 1 West Texas A&M, No. 2 Colo. School of Mines, No. 3 Western Colorado

Next in Line: No. 4 Adams State

Also in the Hunt: No. 5 CSU Pueblo

Notes: Ousting Colo. School of Mines from the No. 1 position is no easy task. West Texas A&M was up for the challenge this week. Fueling the Buffs’ case was a near upset of NCAA DI No. 15 Michigan at the Live in Lou Cross Country Classic.

Southeast Region

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

Next in Line: No. 4 Flagler

Also in the Hunt: No. 5 Catawba

Notes: Can it get much closer? Flagler flipped the script on Catawba, swapping the No. 4 and No. 5 spots after an impressive showing at the Live in Lou Cross Country Classic. The Saints posted a 25:18 average over 8k in comparison to Catawba who reported a 25:21 average over 8k at the Paul Short Run. 

West Region

Projected AQs: No. 1 Chico State, No. 2 Western Washington, No. 3 Biola (Calif.)

Next in Line: No. 4 Cal Poly Pomona

Also in the Hunt: No. 5 Azusa Pacific

Notes: There were no changes in the top-5.