U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) > Rankings-Polls > Cross Country Polls > NCAA DII Preseason Regional Rankings Unveiled
NEW ORLEANS – With the opening weekend of NCAA Division II Cross Country already upon us starting this Thursday, the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) has announced its preseason Regional Rankings.
Reigning regional champions are predicted to pick up right where they left off in many of the country’s eight men’s regions and eight women’s regions, with 75 percent of them headed by last year’s winner.
Regional Summary PDF | Division II Polls & Rankings Homepage
Quick Links: Men | Women
That includes reigning national women’s champion Adams State in the South Central Region. Reigning national men’s champion Colorado Mines is also favored to win the South Central, but the Orediggers aren’t a part of that aforementioned grouping of teams – they finished runner-up regionally in 2015.
Joining the Adams State women as returning regional champions/preseason favorites are Stonehill (East), Grand Valley State (Midwest), Tampa (South), Montevallo (Southeast) and Chico State (West).
National runner-up GVSU looks to have potentially the most difficult road to travel with five of last year’s top 11 teams at NCAAs hailing from the Midwest, including reigning third-place finisher Hillsdale. Fourth-place Chico State will also face an uphill climb with an additional two top-10 teams from a year ago in its West Region.
Look for a shake-up atop both the Central and Atlantic regions, though.
Preseason Central favorite U-Mary finished fourth at regionals a year ago but wound up finishing 12th nationally behind individual champ Alexis Zeis.
Shippensburg was just third in the Atlantic last season and Bloomsburg was even farther back in sixth, but those two find themselves atop the region to start 2016.
The men’s teams making the transition from regional champs to preseason regional favorites to start their 2016 campaigns are Shippensburg (Atlantic), Augustana (S.D.) (Central), American International (East), Grand Valley State (Midwest), Mount Olive (Southeast) and Alaska Anchorage (West).
Both the Midwest and West regions look to be deep in the preseason with three national top-10 squads from each returning from a year ago. Notably in the Midwest, Lewis checked it at No. 3 behind GVSU and Southern Indiana after finishing 17th at regionals last season.
Joining national champ Colorado Mines as non-regional winners to start 2016 atop their respective rankings is Lee (Tenn.) from the South. Lee was the runner-up in the South a year ago.
The United States (as well as Canada and Puerto Rico) is split into eight distinct regions for both the men and the women, combining for 16 total. Teams qualify to the NCAA Division II Cross Country Championships on November 19 based on their finishes at these regional championships on November 5, with each region allotted a specific number of NCAA Championship berths based on 2015 results.
These rankings aim to predict how teams will fare within those regional championship races. They 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 predicted team finishes at the NCAA Regional Championships.
NCAA DII Preseason Regional Rankings Unveiled
By Kyle Terwillegar, USTFCCCA
August 30, 2016
NEW ORLEANS – With the opening weekend of NCAA Division II Cross Country already upon us starting this Thursday, the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) has announced its preseason Regional Rankings.
Reigning regional champions are predicted to pick up right where they left off in many of the country’s eight men’s regions and eight women’s regions, with 75 percent of them headed by last year’s winner.
Regional Summary PDF | Division II Polls & Rankings Homepage
Quick Links: Men | Women
That includes reigning national women’s champion Adams State in the South Central Region. Reigning national men’s champion Colorado Mines is also favored to win the South Central, but the Orediggers aren’t a part of that aforementioned grouping of teams – they finished runner-up regionally in 2015.
Joining the Adams State women as returning regional champions/preseason favorites are Stonehill (East), Grand Valley State (Midwest), Tampa (South), Montevallo (Southeast) and Chico State (West).
National runner-up GVSU looks to have potentially the most difficult road to travel with five of last year’s top 11 teams at NCAAs hailing from the Midwest, including reigning third-place finisher Hillsdale. Fourth-place Chico State will also face an uphill climb with an additional two top-10 teams from a year ago in its West Region.
Look for a shake-up atop both the Central and Atlantic regions, though.
Preseason Central favorite U-Mary finished fourth at regionals a year ago but wound up finishing 12th nationally behind individual champ Alexis Zeis.
Shippensburg was just third in the Atlantic last season and Bloomsburg was even farther back in sixth, but those two find themselves atop the region to start 2016.
The men’s teams making the transition from regional champs to preseason regional favorites to start their 2016 campaigns are Shippensburg (Atlantic), Augustana (S.D.) (Central), American International (East), Grand Valley State (Midwest), Mount Olive (Southeast) and Alaska Anchorage (West).
Both the Midwest and West regions look to be deep in the preseason with three national top-10 squads from each returning from a year ago. Notably in the Midwest, Lewis checked it at No. 3 behind GVSU and Southern Indiana after finishing 17th at regionals last season.
Joining national champ Colorado Mines as non-regional winners to start 2016 atop their respective rankings is Lee (Tenn.) from the South. Lee was the runner-up in the South a year ago.
The United States (as well as Canada and Puerto Rico) is split into eight distinct regions for both the men and the women, combining for 16 total. Teams qualify to the NCAA Division II Cross Country Championships on November 19 based on their finishes at these regional championships on November 5, with each region allotted a specific number of NCAA Championship berths based on 2015 results.
These rankings aim to predict how teams will fare within those regional championship races. They 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 predicted team finishes at the NCAA Regional Championships.
USTFCCCA NCAA Division II | ||||
Men’s Cross Country Regional Team Rankings | ||||
2016 Preseason — August 30 | ||||
| national rankings release: August 31 | ||||
| next regional release: September 13 | ||||
ATLANTIC Region
| ||||
| Rank | School | Location | Conference |
2015 FINAL
|
| 1 | Shippensburg | Shippensburg, Pa. | PSAC |
1
|
| 2 | Lock Haven | Lock Haven, Pa. | PSAC |
2
|
| 3 | Indiana (Pa.) | Indiana, Pa. | PSAC |
4
|
| 4 | Edinboro | Edinboro, Pa. | PSAC |
3
|
| 5 | Slippery Rock | Slippery Rock, Pa. | PSAC |
5
|
| 6 | Kutztown | Kutztown, Pa. | PSAC |
6
|
| 7 | East Stroudsburg | East Stroudsburg, Pa. | PSAC |
7
|
| 8 | Bloomsburg | Bloomsburg, Pa. | PSAC |
13
|
| 9 | Concord | Concord, W. Va. | Mountain East |
8
|
| 10 | California (Pa.) | California, Pa. | PSAC |
10
|
| Regional Championship History — Last Five Champions: 2015: Shippensburg, 2014: Lock Haven, 2013: Lock Haven, 2012: Edinboro, 2011: Edinboro | ||||
CENTRAL Region
| ||||
| Rank | School | Location | Conference |
2015 FINAL
|
| 1 | Augustana (S.D.) | Sioux Falls, S.D. | NSIC |
1
|
| 2 | East Central (Okla.) | Ada, Okla. | Great American |
2
|
| 3 | MSU Moorhead | Moorhead, Minn. | NSIC |
5
|
| 4 | Southwest Baptist | Bolivar, Mo. | MIAA |
4
|
| 5 | Neb.-Kearney | Kearney, Neb. | MIAA |
3
|
| 6 | Harding | Searcy, Ark. | Great American |
9
|
| 7 | Fort Hays State | Hays, Kan. | MIAA |
8
|
| 8 | Minnesota Duluth | Duluth, Minn. | NSIC |
13
|
| 9 | Pittsburg State | Pittsburg, Kan. | MIAA |
6
|
| 10 | Northwest Missouri | Maryville, Mo. | MIAA |
10
|
| Regional Championship History — Last Five Champions: 2015: Augustana (S.D.), 2014: Augustana (S.D.), 2013: Augustana (S.D.), 2012: Augustana (S.D.), 2011: Adams State | ||||
EAST Region
| ||||
| Rank | School | Location | Conference |
2015 FINAL
|
| 1 | American International | Springfield, Mass. | Northeast-10 |
1
|
| 2 | Bentley | Waltham, Mass. | Northeast-10 |
2
|
| 3 | Stonehill | Easton, Mass. | Northeast-10 |
3
|
| 4 | Franklin Pierce | Rindge, N.H. | Northeast-10 |
4
|
| 5 | Southern New Hampshire | Manchester, N.H. | Northeast-10 |
5
|
| 6 | Adelphi | Garden City, N.Y. | Northeast-10 |
7
|
| 7 | Roberts Wesleyan | Chili, N.Y. | East Coast |
6
|
| 8 | Merrimack | North Andover, Mass. | Northeast-10 |
8
|
| 9 | Wilmington (Del.) | New Castle, Del. | CACC |
12
|
| 10 | LIU Post | Brookville, N.Y. | East Coast |
14
|
| Regional Championship History — Last Five Champions: 2015: American International, 2014: American International, 2013: Stonehill, 2012: American International, 2011: UMass Lowell | ||||
MIDWEST Region
| ||||
| Rank | School | Location | Conference |
2015 FINAL
|
| 1 | Grand Valley State | Allendale, Mich. | GLIAC |
1
|
| 2 | Southern Indiana | Evansville, Ind. | GLVC |
2
|
| 3 | Lewis | Romeoville, Ill. | GLVC |
17
|
| 4 | UW-Parkside | Kenosha, Wis. | GLVC |
3
|
| 5 | Saginaw Valley State | Bay City, Mich. | GLIAC |
7
|
| 6 | Walsh | North Canton, Ohio | GLIAC |
5
|
| 7 | Bellarmine | Louisville, Ky. | GLVC |
6
|
| 8 | Hillsdale | Hillsdale, Mich. | GLIAC |
9
|
| 9 | Malone | Canton, Ohio | G-MAC |
4
|
| 10 | Ashland | Ashland, Ohio | GLIAC |
8
|
| Regional Championship History — Last Five Champions: 2015: Grand Valley State, 2014: Grand Valley State, 2013: Grand Valley State, 2012: Grand Valley State, 2011: Grand Valley State | ||||
SOUTH Region
| ||||
| Rank | School | Location | Conference |
2015 FINAL
|
| 1 | Lee (Tenn.) | Cleveland, Tenn. | Gulf South |
2
|
| 2 | Alabama-Huntsville | Huntsville, Ala. | Gulf South |
4
|
| 3 | Nova Southeastern | Davie, Fla. | Sunshine |
3
|
| 4 | Florida Southern | Lakeland, Fla. | Sunshine |
5
|
| 5 | Saint Leo | Saint Leo, Fla. | Sunshine |
1
|
| 6 | West Florida | Pensacola, Fla. | Gulf South |
6
|
| 7 | West Georgia | Carrollton, Ga. | Gulf South |
14
|
| 8 | West Alabama | Livingston, Ala. | Gulf South |
7
|
| 9 | Union (Tenn.) | Jackson, Tenn. | Gulf South |
9
|
| 10 | Florida Tech | Melbourne, Fla. | Sunshine |
8
|
| Regional Championship History — Last Five Champions: 2015: Saint Leo, 2014: Florida Southern, 2013: Florida Southern, 2012: Nova Southeastern, 2011: Alabama-Huntsville | ||||
SOUTH CENTRAL Region
| ||||
| Rank | School | Location | Conference |
2015 FINAL
|
| 1 | Colorado Mines | Golden, Colo. | RMAC |
2
|
| 2 | Adams State | Alamosa, Colo. | RMAC |
1
|
| 3 | Western State | Gunnison, Colo. | RMAC |
3
|
| 4 | West Texas A&M | Canyon, Texas | Lone Star |
5
|
| 5 | CSU-Pueblo | Pueblo, Colo. | RMAC |
10
|
| 6 | Black Hills State | Spearfish, S.D. | RMAC |
6
|
| 7 | Metro State | Denver, Colo. | RMAC |
4
|
| 8 | Colorado Mesa | Grand Junction, Colo. | RMAC |
7
|
| 9 | UC-Colorado Springs | Colorado Springs, Colo. | RMAC |
9
|
| 10 | New Mexico Highlands | Las Vegas, N.M. | RMAC |
11
|
| Regional Championship History — Last Five Champions: 2015: Adams State, 2014: Adams State, 2013: Adams State, 2012: Adams State, 2011: Eastern New Mexico | ||||
SOUTHEAST Region
| ||||
| Rank | School | Location | Conference |
2015 FINAL
|
| 1 | Mount Olive | Mount Olive, N.C. | Conf. Carolinas |
1
|
| 2 | Mars Hill | Mars Hill, N.C. | SAC |
2
|
| 3 | Queens (N.C.) | Charlotte, N.C. | SAC |
3
|
| 4 | UNC Pembroke | Pembroke, N.C. | Peach Belt |
4
|
| 5 | Flagler | St. Augustine, Fla. | Peach Belt |
8
|
| 6 | Anderson (S.C.) | Anderson, S.C. | SAC |
9
|
| 7 | Young Harris | Young Harris, Ga. | Peach Belt |
10
|
| 8 | Augusta | Augusta, Ga. | Peach Belt |
5
|
| 9 | Columbus State | Columbus, Ga. | Peach Belt |
6
|
| 10 | Georgia College | Milledgeville, Ga. | Peach Belt |
7
|
| Regional Championship History — Last Five Champions: 2015: Mount Olive, 2014: Mars Hill, 2013: Mount Olive, 2012: Columbus State, 2011: Queens (N.C.) | ||||
WEST Region
| ||||
| Rank | School | Location | Conference |
2015 FINAL
|
| 1 | Alaska Anchorage | Anchorage, Alaska | GNAC |
1
|
| 2 | Chico State | Chico, Calif. | CCAA |
2
|
| 3 | Cal Poly Pomona | Pomona, Calif. | CCAA |
3
|
| 4 | Simon Fraser | Burnaby, B.C. | GNAC |
4
|
| 5 | Western Washington | Bellingham, Wash. | GNAC |
6
|
| 6 | SF State | San Francisco, Calif. | CCAA |
5
|
| 7 | Academy of Art | San Francisco, Calif. | PacWest |
9
|
| 8 | Azusa Pacific | Azusa, Calif. | PacWest |
7
|
| 9 | Cal Baptist | Riverside, Calif. | PacWest |
8
|
| 10 | UC San Diego | La Jolla, Calif. | CCAA |
13
|
| Regional Championship History — Last Five Champions: 2015: Alaska Anchorage, 2014: Chico State, 2013: Chico State, 2012: Chico State, 2011: Alaska Anchorage | ||||
USTFCCCA NCAA Division II | ||||
Women’s Cross Country Regional Team Rankings | ||||
2016 Preseason — August 30 | ||||
| national rankings release: August 31 | ||||
| next regional release: September 13 | ||||
ATLANTIC Region
| ||||
| Rank | School | Location | Conference |
2015 FINAL
|
| 1 | Shippensburg | Shippensburg, Pa. | PSAC |
3
|
| 2 | Bloomsburg | Bloomsburg, Pa. | PSAC |
6
|
| 3 | California (Pa.) | California, Pa. | PSAC |
1
|
| 4 | East Stroudsburg | East Stroudsburg, Pa. | PSAC |
4
|
| 5 | Seton Hill | Greensburg, Pa. | PSAC |
7
|
| 6 | Slippery Rock | Slippery Rock, Pa. | PSAC |
5
|
| 7 | Kutztown | Kutztown, Pa. | PSAC |
9
|
| 8 | Edinboro | Edinboro, Pa. | PSAC |
2
|
| 9 | Mercyhurst | Erie, Pa. | PSAC |
11
|
| 10 | Lock Haven | Lock Haven, Pa. | PSAC |
8
|
| Regional Championship History — Last Five Champions: 2015: California (Pa.), 2014: Edinboro, 2013: Edinboro, 2012: Shippensburg, 2011: Shippensburg | ||||
CENTRAL Region
| ||||
| Rank | School | Location | Conference |
2015 FINAL
|
| 1 | U-Mary | Bismarck, N.D. | NSIC |
4
|
| 2 | Minnesota Duluth | Duluth, Minn. | NSIC |
2
|
| 3 | Augustana (S.D.) | Sioux Falls, S.D. | NSIC |
3
|
| 4 | Southwest Baptist | Bolivar, Mo. | MIAA |
1
|
| 5 | Pittsburg State | Pittsburg, Kan. | MIAA |
9
|
| 6 | Fort Hays State | Hays, Kan. | MIAA |
6
|
| 7 | Harding | Searcy, Ark. | Great American |
5
|
| 8 | Missouri Southern | Joplin, Mo. | MIAA |
7
|
| 9 | Winona State | Winona, Minn. | NSIC |
8
|
| 10 | MSU Moorhead | Moorhead, Minn. | NSIC |
11
|
| Regional Championship History — Last Five Champions: 2015: Southwest Baptist, 2014: Minnesota Duluth, 2013: Minnesota Duluth, 2012: Augustana (S.D.), 2011: Western State | ||||
EAST Region
| ||||
| Rank | School | Location | Conference |
2015 FINAL
|
| 1 | Stonehill | Easton, Mass. | Northeast-10 |
1
|
| 2 | Assumption | Worcester, Mass. | Northeast-10 |
6
|
| 3 | Daemen | Amherst, N.Y. | East Coast |
4
|
| 4 | Roberts Wesleyan | Chili, N.Y. | East Coast |
2
|
| 5 | Bentley | Waltham, Mass. | Northeast-10 |
5
|
| 6 | St. Thomas Aquinas | Sparkill, N.Y. | East Coast |
3
|
| 7 | Merrimack | North Andover, Mass. | Northeast-10 |
8
|
| 8 | Southern Connecticut | New Haven, Conn. | Northeast-10 |
21
|
| 9 | Le Moyne | Syracuse, N.Y. | Northeast-10 |
13
|
| 10 | Philadelphia | Philadelphia, Pa. | CACC |
9
|
| Regional Championship History — Last Five Champions: 2015: Stonehill, 2014: Roberts Wesleyan, 2013: Stonehill, 2012: Stonehill, 2011: Stonehill | ||||
MIDWEST Region
| ||||
| Rank | School | Location | Conference |
2015 FINAL
|
| 1 | Grand Valley State | Allendale, Mich. | GLIAC |
1
|
| 2 | Hillsdale | Hillsdale, Mich. | GLIAC |
2
|
| 3 | Northern Michigan | Marquette, Mich. | GLIAC |
4
|
| 4 | Southern Indiana | Evansville, Ind. | GLVC |
5
|
| 5 | Lewis | Romeoville, Ill. | GLVC |
3
|
| 6 | UW-Parkside | Kenosha, Wis. | GLVC |
6
|
| 7 | Cedarville | Cedarville, Ohio | G-MAC |
7
|
| 8 | Bellarmine | Louisville, Ky. | GLVC |
8
|
| 9 | Malone | Canton, Ohio | G-MAC |
11
|
| 10 | Ferris State | Big Rapids, Mich. | GLIAC |
10
|
| Regional Championship History — Last Five Champions: 2015: Grand Valley State, 2014: Grand Valley State, 2013: Grand Valley State, 2012: Grand Valley State, 2011: Grand Valley State | ||||
SOUTH Region
| ||||
| Rank | School | Location | Conference |
2015 FINAL
|
| 1 | Tampa | Tampa, Fla. | Sunshine |
1
|
| 2 | Saint Leo | Saint Leo, Fla. | Sunshine |
2
|
| 3 | Lee (Tenn.) | Cleveland, Tenn. | Gulf South |
4
|
| 4 | Union (Tenn.) | Jackson, Tenn. | Gulf South |
3
|
| 5 | Alabama-Huntsville | Huntsville, Ala. | Gulf South |
5
|
| 6 | West Alabama | Livingston, Ala. | Gulf South |
6
|
| 7 | Nova Southeastern | Davie, Fla. | Sunshine |
9
|
| 8 | North Alabama | Florence, Ala. | Gulf South |
7
|
| 9 | Valdosta State | Valdosta, Ga. | Gulf South |
11
|
| 10 | West Georgia | Carrollton, Ga. | Gulf South |
12
|
| Regional Championship History — Last Five Champions: 2015: Tampa, 2014: Tampa, 2013: Tampa, 2012: Tampa, 2011: Tampa | ||||
SOUTH CENTRAL Region
| ||||
| Rank | School | Location | Conference |
2015 FINAL
|
| 1 | Adams State | Alamosa, Colo. | RMAC |
1
|
| 2 | Western State | Gunnison, Colo. | RMAC |
2
|
| 3 | Fort Lewis | Durango, Colo. | RMAC |
5
|
| 4 | Dallas Baptist | Dallas, Texas | Heartland Conference |
4
|
| 5 | Colorado Mines | Golden, Colo. | RMAC |
3
|
| 6 | UC-Colorado Springs | Colorado Springs, Colo. | RMAC |
7
|
| 7 | CSU-Pueblo | Pueblo, Colo. | RMAC |
6
|
| 8 | Colorado Christian | Lakewood, Colo. | RMAC |
9
|
| 9 | Chadron State | Chadron, Neb. | RMAC |
8
|
| 10 | Midwestern State | Wichita Falls, Texas | Lone Star |
14
|
| Regional Championship History — Last Five Champions: 2015: Adams State, 2014: Adams State, 2013: Adams State, 2012: Adams State, 2011: Midwestern State | ||||
SOUTHEAST Region
| ||||
| Rank | School | Location | Conference |
2015 FINAL
|
| 1 | Montevallo | Montevallo, Ala. | Peach Belt |
1
|
| 2 | Wingate | Wingate, N.C. | SAC |
2
|
| 3 | Queens (N.C.) | Charlotte, N.C. | SAC |
3
|
| 4 | North Georgia | Dahlonega, Ga. | Peach Belt |
4
|
| 5 | Flagler | St. Augustine, Fla. | Peach Belt |
5
|
| 6 | Mount Olive | Mount Olive, N.C. | Conf. Carolinas |
6
|
| 7 | Anderson (S.C.) | Anderson, S.C. | SAC |
7
|
| 8 | Columbus State | Columbus, Ga. | Peach Belt |
8
|
| 9 | Young Harris | Young Harris, Ga. | Peach Belt |
9
|
| 10 | Augusta | Augusta, Ga. | Peach Belt |
10
|
| Regional Championship History — Last Five Champions: 2015: Montevallo, 2014: Montevallo, 2013: Wingate, 2012: Columbus State, 2011: Queens (N.C.) | ||||
WEST Region
| ||||
| Rank | School | Location | Conference |
2015 FINAL
|
| 1 | Chico State | Chico, Calif. | CCAA |
1
|
| 2 | Alaska Anchorage | Anchorage, Alaska | GNAC |
3
|
| 3 | Western Washington | Bellingham, Wash. | GNAC |
2
|
| 4 | Cal Baptist | Riverside, Calif. | PacWest |
4
|
| 5 | Simon Fraser | Burnaby, B.C. | GNAC |
10
|
| 6 | Seattle Pacific | Seattle, Wash. | GNAC |
5
|
| 7 | Cal Poly Pomona | Pomona, Calif. | CCAA |
8
|
| 8 | Cal State San Bernardino | San Bernardino, Calif. | CCAA |
9
|
| 9 | UC San Diego | La Jolla, Calif. | CCAA |
7
|
| 10 | Point Loma Nazarene | San Diego, Calif. | PacWest |
14
|
| Regional Championship History — Last Five Champions: 2015: Chico State, 2014: Simon Fraser, 2013: Alaska Anchorage, 2012: Chico State, 2011: Alaska Anchorage | ||||
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