NEW ORLEANS, La. - - After placing seventh in the 2012 East Regional meet, the Wilmington University men's cross team was picked to finish fifth in the United States Track and Field Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) NCAA Division II East Regional Cross Country Preseason Rankings.
With the top three teams from the regional meet receiving automatic qualifications to the National Meet, the Wildcats will look to make the jump up two spots from the preseason rankings to make their first National Tournament. With lead runner Mike O'Brian (22nd in 2012 East Regional meet) returning for another season, the Wildcats are hoping for another great season. With each stride of the regular season, the team is hoping to move up in the USTFCCCA rankings.
Coming off a big season last year, American International is ranked first overall for the preseason USTFCCCA rankings after finishing first in the NCAA Division II East Regionals last season. Stonehill, finishing third overall in last year's meet, is ranked second to start the year. Adelphi (sixth in East) and Franklin Pierce (15) sit ahead of Wilmington to round out the preseason top five.
With huge expectations for this upcoming season, both the men's and women's cross country teams start their seasons with their lone home event at Carousel Park, on September 7, in the 13th Annual WUXC Invite.
AGATE
2013 USTFCCA NCAA Division II East Regional Cross Country Rankings:
1 – American International (1, 2012 finish)
2 – Stonehill (3)
3 – Adelphi (6)
4 – Franklin Pierce (15)
5 – Wilmington (7)
6 – Merrimack (10)
7 – Saint Rose (9)
8 – St. Thomas Aquinas (11)
9 – Southern Connecticut State (5)
10 – Assumption (14)