SEARCY – With the 2010 cross country season just around the corner, the United States Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association released its 2010 NCAA Division II Preseason Regional Rankings on Wednesday. Harding’s men are ranked No. 1 in the South Region with the Harding women ranked No. 2.
Harding’s men return last year’s national runner-up Daniel Kirwa along with fellow All-America honoree Philip Biwott. The Bisons, last season’s regional champion, placed ninth nationally in 2009. Florida Southern finished 22nd nationally last season and is ranked second in the preseason regional rankings.
Men’s South Region Rankings
Rank School Location Conference 2009 Finish
1. Harding Searcy, Ark. Gulf South 1
2. Florida Southern Lakeland, Fla. Sunshine 2
3. Alabama-Huntsville Huntsville, Ala. Gulf South 6
4. Tampa Tampa, Fla. Sunshine 8
5. West Georgia Carrollton, Ga. Gulf South 4
6. West Florida Pensacola, Fla. Gulf South 5
7. Nova Southeastern Davie, Fla. Sunshine 3
8. West Alabama Livingston, Ala. Gulf South 12
9. Florida Tech Melbourne, Fla. Sunshine 7
10. Morehouse Atlanta, Ga. SIAC 10
Harding’s women return four of their top seven runners that finished second in the 2009 South Region Meet. Tampa won the regional title last season and placed in the top 10 nationally.
Women’s South Region Rankings
Rank School Location Conference 2009 Finish
1. Tampa Tampa, Fla. Sunshine 1
2. Harding Searcy, Ark. Gulf South 2
3. Alabama-Huntsville Huntsville, Ala. Gulf South 11
4. Arkansas Tech Russellville, Ark. Gulf South 4
5. West Florida Pensacola, Fla. Gulf South 6
6. Nova Southeastern Davie, Fla. Sunshine 8
7. West Alabama Livingston, Ala. Gulf South 9
8. Florida Tech Melbourne, Fla. Florida Tech 3
9. Florida Southern Lakeland, Fla. Sunshine 5
10. West Georgia Carrollton, Ga. Gulf South 7
Harding opens the 2010 season on Sept. 18 at the Missouri Southern Stampede in Joplin, Mo.