2025 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 2025 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 Saturday, November 8.

Atlantic Region

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

Also in the Hunt: No. 4 East Stroudsburg, No. 5 Concord

Notes: The Golden Eagles dipped their toes into the international pool in preparation for the 2025 season, fielding an almost brand new starting seven. It’s up to returners, Corey Schobelock and Jules Geffroy-Remot, who finished 25th and 17th at the Regional Championships to show their new teammates how to win another Atlantic title. Shippensburg will be nipping at the heels of the preseason favorites, bringing back all but two of their regional roster. The Raiders will rely on Garrett Quinan and Tommy Crum Jr., PSAC Men’s Cross Country Athlete of the Year and PSAC Men’s Cross Country Freshman of the Year, to guide the way. Davis & Elkins, East Stroudsburg, and Concord will look to play spoilers. 

Central Region

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

Also in the Hunt: No. 4 Pittsburg State, No. 5 Missouri Western

Notes: East Central (Okla.) lost the heart and soul of its 2024 roster with the departure of four All-Region honorees. The Tigers responded quickly, adding a pair of All-American transfers and a freshman whose already run 24:30. The buzz around Northwest Missouri stems in part from Aziz Mohammed, the 2024 1500 meters National Champion, who decided to join the Bearcats this offseason. With three runners that can post top-15 Central Region marks, Northwest Missouri is shaping up to be a scary adversary. Don’t be fooled however, Washburn, Pittsburg State, and Missouri Western flaunt strong lineups of their own and can easily jump the standings.

East Region

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

Also in the Hunt: No. 4 Assumption, No. 5 Adelphi

Notes: Will track times convert to the grass? That is the underlying question in the East Region. Defending champs Southern Connecticut State took a hit after graduation, but if the 2025 outdoor season is any indication as to how this fall will unfold, the Owls may just fly away with another title. Roberts Wesleyan felt a similar shake up to its nest, losing the 1-2-3 punch at the front but a few strong newcomers have the Red Hawks with their eyes keen on the prize. Bentley, Assumption, and Adelphi will have the difficult task of chasing down the birds, albeit with another year of experience under their belt.

Midwest Region

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

Also in the Hunt: No. 4 Michigan Tech, No. 5 Walsh

Notes: We can’t remember a time when the Lakers were out of title contention. We’re here to tell you that this year is no different. Despite returning just three members of its 2024 squad, Grand Valley State’s pipeline runs deep and it will take some digging to unseat the favorites. According to the rankings, Saginaw Valley State was given the best chance to do so, and for good reason too. The Cardinals have five of their starting seven back. Not to mention, they will be joined by Dom Suliman, their undisputed leader throughout the 2023 campaign. 

South Region

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

Also in the Hunt: No. 4 Florida Southern, No. 5 Embry Riddle (Fla.)

Notes: Experience is hard to beat, and Lee (Tenn.) enters the season with a plethora. Six of the top-seven Flames from last year’s line-up are back in action and eager to build on an exciting spring. Luke Gaddis and Stephen Clark took home All-American honors in the steeplechase while Ryan Lovelace came within two places of a podium in the 1500 meters. Can they now burn a trail to the South Region title? The good news for Alabama-Huntsville is that they return five of their top-seven. The bad news for the Chargers is that the two departures leaves a hole at the front.

South Central Region

Projected AQs: No. 1 Colo. School of Mines, No. 2 Adams State, No. 3 Western Colorado

Also in the Hunt: No. 4 West Texas A&M, No. 5 Colorado Christian

Notes: Imagine stating that the reigning national champions are in a better position than they were last year. Well, we are. Not only are the Orediggers more developed, they’re deeper than they were in 2024. Five cross country All-Americans, a steeplechase All-American, and two redshirt freshmen who ran 14:14 in the spring? That’s a recipe for success. Their Colorado counterparts, Adams State, has some gloating of its own to get to. An incredibly talented top-end with guys like Kidus Begashaw, who finished just outside the top-10 at the 2024 National Championships, mixed with a handful of potent transfers like Luca Madeo, NAIA national champion in the 5k and 10k, puts the Grizzlies within range. 

Southeast Region

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

Also in the Hunt: No. 4 Augusta, No. 5 Catawba

Notes: Coming off of a sixth straight Southeast Regional victory, the Bulldogs don’t need to bark up a storm to prove they are the unanimous preseason favorites. Besides returning three of the top-six from last year’s clean sweep, Wingate recruited Mohamed Dahmouch, the 2024 NJCAA DI 1500 meter national champion. If anyone poses a threat to the juggernauts above, it’s Anderson (S.C.). The biggest thing going for the Trojans is experience, as their core seven remains untouched from last year. 

West Region

Projected AQs: No. 1 Chico State, No. 2 Western Washington, No. 3 Cal Poly Pomona

Also in the Hunt: No. 4 Northwest Nazarene, No. 5 Biola (Calif.)

Notes: Who has the better top-3? The question that currently plagues the West Region. It’s hard not to give Chico State the upper hand this edition, as the Wildcats boast Mario Giannini, the 2024 West Region champion. Western Washington’s answer lies in Jared Alderfer, Jonah Billings, and Sten Brakstad. Can the Vikings carry their GNAC domination to the next level? October will have the answer.