Cortland State Named Top NCAA DIII Men's Team in 2008

NEW ORLEANS - The U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association announced the men's Division III Cross Country Preseason National Rankings on Tuesday and Cortland State was named the top ranked team to start the 2008 season. The Atlantic Region team received all possible first place votes to take top billing.

Coming in at No. 2 this week is Calvin College, who began last season ranked No. 1. If poll positition is any indication of things to come, then the Knights better be ready to celebrate. Last year NYU was ranked second in the preseason poll and finished as the National Champion at year's end.

Calvin looks to continue several streaks alive in 2008 as the team will seek its 22nd straight Michigan Intercollegiate Athletics Association (MIAA) title. The Knights return three All-Americans to a senior laden squad led by Jed Christiansen.

Following Calvin is Wisconsin-La Crosse, ranked third in the preseason poll. Despite many losses to graduate the 2008 team should compete for the national title in November. The Eagles are led by junior team captain, Dallas Vincent. Wisconsin-La Crosse seeks its fifth straight Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) title.

Wisconsin-Stevens Point is ranked fourth behind La Crosse and should push the Eagles for WIAC supremacy. Stevens Point returns all key runners from a year ago.

Completing the top five in the men's Division III national poll is Carnegie Mellon University.

Voting for the Division III Cross Country National Poll is done by representatives from the eight cross country regions.

The 2008 Division III Cross Country National meet will be held on November 22nd, 2008 at the L.S. Ayres Complex on the campus of Hanover College.

- Vew complete rankings and release