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Davidson Men's Cross Country Ranked 14th In Southeast Image
Lance Harden

Davidson Men's Cross Country Ranked 14th In Southeast

9/28/2009 3:00:15 PM | Men's Cross Country

NEW ORLEANS, La. – The Davidson men's cross country team's strong start garnered the squad regional recognition from the United States Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association, which ranked the squad 14th in their latest weekly rankings, released on Monday afternoon.

The Wildcats won their first two meets of the season. At the season opening Eye Opener at USC Upstate meet on Sept. 5, Davidson placed three runners in the top-five overall finishers, and all five scorers finished in the top-ten out of the Division I competitors. Leading the way for Davidson was senior Lance Harden, who finished in second place overall with a mark of 25 minutes, 29 seconds.

The Wildcats scored 26 team points for the runaway victory, finishing 46 points ahead of the second-place squad from Furman. Four of the 20 teams in attendance were Southern Conference opponents, all of whom finished in the top-seven places.

Harden and freshman Ryan Hopkins then finished as the top-two affiliated runners at the 23rd annual Asics Winthrop Invitational on Sept. 19. Harden, a senior, was just three seconds behind the meet winner, completing the 8K course in 24:59.72. Hopkins, finished in 25:14.59. The Wildcats totaled 43 points, just edging out second-place Elon, also of the Southern Conference, by two points. Behind Davidson and Elon were fellow SoCon teams Western Carolina (third, 64 points) and Wofford (fifth, 132).

Select Davidson runners will compete in the Charlotte Invitational on Friday while the top runners will compete in the Great Louisville Cross Country Classic in Louisville, Ky. on Saturday.

USTFCCCA Division I Men's Southeast Regional Rankings
1. William & Mary
2. Virginia
3. NC State
4. Duke
5. Virginia tech
6. Richmond
7. Liberty
8. Louisville
9. Eastern Kentucky
10. North Carolina
11. Kentucky
12. Charlotte
13. Appalachian State
14. Davidson
15. VMI

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