2024 NCAA DII Men’s Cross Country National Coaches’ Poll – Week 7
NEW ORLEANS – We now know which men’s teams will vie for glory at the 2024 NCAA DII Cross Country Championships next Saturday in Sacramento, California.
Here is the climactic edition of the 2024 NCAA DII Men’s Cross Country National Coaches’ Poll, which was released on Wednesday by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA).
National Coaches’ Polls are presented by AthleticNET.
NCAA Division II — Men's Cross Country
This Week's National Top Five
1
Wingate
Wingate
2
Colo. School of Mines
Colo. School of Mines
3
Grand Valley State
Grand Valley State
4
Adams State
Adams State
5
West Texas A&M
West Texas A&M
Cross Country Polls & Rankings
The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines perfection as “being entirely without fault or defect.” No. 1 Wingate demonstrated what that looks like in real time at the Southeast Regional. The Bulldogs went 1-5 to tally 15 points, a perfect score in their final showing before the NCAA Championships. Interestingly enough, this is their second time achieving the feat. When was the first? 365 days ago, and it eventually led to the program’s first ever national title. Other NCAA berths from the Southeast Region include No. 16 Augusta, No. 27 Anderson (S.C.), and Flagler.
Saturday’s snowfall at the South Central Regional was no match for No. 2 Colo. School of Mines. Once the mud and sludge settled, the Orediggers struck gold, placing three individuals in the top-10. Their 40 points were enough to stave off challenges from No. 4 Adams State and No. 5 West Texas A&M to claim victory. The Grizzlies skated into second, coming to a stop with 59 points while Romain Legendre added another accolade to his stash, taking home the individual title in 30:53.6. The Buffs settled for the remaining podium spot, squeaking by No. 7 Western Colorado, 105-106. Along with the aforementioned teams, No. 13 CSU Pueblo, No. 15 Colorado Christian, and No. 19 UC-Colorado Springs earned spots on the NCAA start line, giving the South Central seven in all – the most out of any region.
As is tradition at this point, No. 3 Grand Valley State reigned victorious at the Midwest Regional. The Lakers posted 40 points, with all seven members inside the top-20, on their way to a 22nd consecutive team title. The biggest threat arose from No. 12 Lewis. With individual champion, Evan Horgan (30:39.5), in the pilot’s seat, the Flyers totaled 71 points, nearly half of No. 22 Michigan Tech’s 141. Other NCAA berths from the Midwest Region include No. 26 Saginaw Valley State and No. 30 Findlay.
The trailer for the West Region anticipated a showdown between No. 6 Chico State and No. 10 Western Washington. Saturday’s race didn’t disappoint. The Wildcats clawed their way to the top spot with 40 points as Mario Giannini led the pack, collecting the individual title in 30:25.6. The Vikings took some swings of their own, but weren’t able to close the gap, falling 14 points short with 54 to their name. Other NCAA berths from the West Region include No. 18 Biola (Calif.), No. 20 Cal Poly Pomona, and No. 23 Azusa Pacific.
The South Region trophy didn’t have to go very far this year. Matter of fact, it didn’t have to move at all as No. 8 Lee (Tenn.) bested the field for a fourth consecutive time. The Flames saw four men in the top-10, going 3-5-8-9-14 for 39 points. Just behind was No. 14 Alabama-Huntsville with 63 points and individual champion Sam Wilhelm, who crossed the line in 30:16. Rounding out the auto-qualifiers was No. 29 Mississippi College with 81 points.
Joining everyone will be the Central Region’s best, No. 9 East Central (Okla.). The Tigers turned in a 71-point performance, despite having just a single runner in the top-10, to thwart No. 11 Northwest Missouri’s upset attempt. The Bearcats finished with 76 points. Other NCAA berths from the Central Region include No. 17 Pittsburg State, No. 24 Washburn, and No. 30 Neb.-Kearney.
The Atlantic Region was witness to a No. 21 Davis & Elkins victory while the East Region crowned Southern Connecticut State champion. Other NCAA berths from the Atlantic Region include Charleston (W.Va) and Shippensburg. Other NCAA berths from the East Region include Roberts Wesleyan and Bentley.
Mark your calendars for Saturday, November 23, because that’s when the 2024 NCAA DII Cross Country Championships will be held at the Arcade Creek Cross Country Course in Sacramento, California.
