KENNESAW, Ga.- The recognition keeps on coming for the men’s cross country team as they were ranked fifth in the South region by U.S. Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association, the organization announced Monday. Achieving their highest ranking since being eligible for NCAA Regionals, the team is the highest placed program from the state of Georgia.

Just a few days removed from winning their second straight Atlantic Sun Conference championship, the team will have some time to prepare for regionals which are being held Nov. 13 in Birmingham, Ala. at Veterans Park. If the team finishes in top two at regionals, they earn a bid to NCAA Nationals.

Earlier this season, the team was able to participate in the Region preview held at Veterans Park and saw great success nabbing a first place finish. Senior Piotr Wiczak would finish first overall with junior Jaakko Nieminen and sophomore Nabil Hamid coming in second and third, respectively.

“It is always an honor to be recognized for your hard work and determination,” head cross country coach Stan Sims said. “Being ranked No. 5 in the NCAA South Region tells us that we have earned respect of our competition. Now we have to show we can run with the best for 10000m.Our motto for our training is: the hay is in the barn and the hard work has been done. There is not much we can do to get better or faster, but there are a lot of things you can do to make you run slower. Train smart, keep the edge sharp.”


NCAA SOUTH Region Rank- 11/1
1 Florida State

2 Alabama

3 Florida

4 Tennessee

5 Kennesaw State

6 Mississippi

7 Georgia

8 Chattanooga

9 Georgia Tech

10 Middle Tennessee

11 Mississippi State

12 Auburn

13 Belmont

14 South Alabama

15 North Florida