2024 NCAA DII Men’s Cross Country Regional Rankings – Week 5

NEW ORLEANS – Plenty to talk about here and now. 

Here is the Week 5 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 Davis & Elkins, No. 2 Charleston (W.Va.), No. 3 Shippensburg

Next in Line: No. 4 Concord

Also in the Hunt: No. 5 Slippery Rock

Notes: No. 4 Concord delivered a bounce-back showing at the Royals XC Challenge, finishing as the third Division II team, behind only Wingate – the 2023 National Champions – and Catawba. Logan Zuchelli and Braden Ward lead the charge while the rest of the Cougar’s pack maintained a seven second spread all the through the line. 

Central Region

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

Next in Line: No. 4 Washburn

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

Notes: Welcome to the party, Pittsburg State. The No. 3 Gorillas debuted their A squad at the UAH Chargers Cross Country Invitational, routing Division I No. 29 Florida State 116-224. Further cementing the new position was the 24 point gap separating Pittsburg State from No. 15 Alabama Huntsville, accentuated by the fact that the Gorillas put six guys before the Charger’s number five.  

East Region

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

Next in Line: No. 4 Assumption

Also in the Hunt: No. 5 Adelphi

Notes: No. 1 Southern Connecticut and No. 2 Roberts Wesleyan showed up to the Lewis Crossover ready for a showdown. This time it was the Owls who got the best of the Redhawks, clawing their way to the top. No. 3 Bentley and No. 4 Assumption battled in similar fashion at the NEICAAA Championships. Although the Greyhounds fell short in the end, the 27 point differential gave the Falcons enough of a scare to earn a bump. 

Midwest Region

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

Next in Line: No. 4 Findlay

Also in the Hunt: No. 5 Saginaw Valley State

Notes: Michigan Tech made a compelling argument for the No. 3 slot and the rankings committee listened. The Huskies went toe-to-toe with the nation’s best at the Lewis Crossover, clinching seventh place. Sam Lange and Tucker Ringhand provided a strong one-two punch at the front and let the roster’s depth take care of the rest. No. 4 Findlay saw an increase in its stock with wins over No. 24 Azusa Pacific and No. 28 Anderson (S.C.). 

South Region

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

Next in Line: No. 4 Mississippi College

Also in the Hunt: No. 5 Tampa

Notes: No. 4 Mississippi College is on a roll and they aren’t slowing down. The Choctaws shined at the UAH Chargers Cross Country Invitational, placing 10th in a 34 team field without their number one asset. No. 5 Tampa hitched a ride on the same train, one car back as the Spartans fought to get within six points of Mississippi College. 

South Central Region

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

Next in Line: No. 4 Adams State

Also in the Hunt: No. 5 Colorado Christian

Notes: And just like that, they’re back. Colo. School of Mines reclaimed No. 1 after their staggering 60 point victory at the Lewis Crossover, which featured 14 ranked teams. Not to mention, the Orediggers posted those results while their top three guys watched from the sidelines… In the same vein, Colorado Christian’s podium performance put the Cougars at No. 5. 

Southeast Region

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

Next in Line: No. 4 Flagler

Also in the Hunt: No. 5 Catawba

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

West Region

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

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.