2023 NCAA DII Men’s Cross Country Regional Rankings – Week 4

NEW ORLEANS – Hello, October!

Here is the week four edition of the NCAA DII Men’s Cross Country Regional Rankings for the 2023 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 are set for Saturday, November 4.

Atlantic Region

Projected AQs: No. 1 Charleston (W.Va.), No. 2 Shippensburg, No. 3 Slippery Rock

Next in Line: No. 4 Davis and Elkins

Also in the Hunt: No. 5 Concord

Note: The Paul Short Run is normally a telling event, one that pits good competition against one another. No. 2 Shippensburg was a major benefactor, finishing second at the Women’s College Brown 6k, bested only by NCAA DI Central Connecticut. The Raiders saw three men finish in the top-25 and their 4-5 punch stopped the clock two seconds apart. 

Central Region

Projected AQs: No. 1 Augustana (S.D.), No. 2 East Central (Okla.), No. 3 Nebraska-Kearney

Next in Line: No. 4 Central Missouri

Also in the Hunt: No. 5 Pittsburg State

Note: No. 4 Central Missouri shot up the rankings after falling to No. 15 Nebraska-Kearney by just a single point at the Chili Pepper Festival. The addition of a strong No. 4 led to a 60-plus point improvement from prior weeks despite hot and humid conditions.

East Region

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

Next in Line: No. 4 Assumption

Also in the Hunt: No. 5 Daemen

Note: Assumption took the opportunity to rise to No. 4 following a runner-up finish at the Keene State Invitational where the Greyhounds put three individuals in the top-10. No. 3 Franklin Pierce and No. 5 Daemen both dropped a place.

Midwest Region

Projected AQs: No. 1 Grand Valley State, No. 2 Saginaw Valley, No. 3 Wayne State (Mich.)

Next in Line: No. 4 Walsh

Also in the Hunt: No. 5 Lewis

Note: No. 4 Walsh leapfrogged No. 5 Lewis. 

South Region

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

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

Also in the Hunt: No. 5 Florida Southern

Note: No changes in the top five this week.  

South Central Region

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

Next in Line: No. 4 West Texas A&M

Also in the Hunt: No. 5 Western Colorado

Note: No changes in the top five this week. 

Southeast Region

Projected AQs: No. 1 Wingate, No. 2 Augusta, No. 3 Catawba

Next in Line: No. 4 Flagler

Also in the Hunt: No. 5 Anderson (S.C.)

Note: Catawba and Flagler surged up a spot to No. 3 and No. 4 respectfully, while Anderson (S.C.) slid to the No. 5 slot. 

West Region

Projected AQs: No. 1 Chico State, No. 2 Azusa Pacific, No. 3 Western Washington

Next in Line: No. 4 Cal Poly Pomona

Also in the Hunt: No. 5 Alaska Anchorage

Note: When No. 2 Azusa Pacific is on, they’re on. The Cougars took down No. 9 Lee (Tenn.) and No. 22 Pittsburg State definitively at the Live in Lou Cross Country Classic, proving in the same sentence that their line of sub-25 8k guys is a mile long and ready to step up when needed.