NEW ORLEANS – For the first time in program history, the UVA Wise men's cross country team is ranked in the AthleticNET United States Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association Southeast Regional Poll.
UVA Wise entered the poll at ninth place on the back of their runner-up finish in the South Atlantic Conference Preview meet held last Friday. The team had a total time of 2:35.16 on the 8K course, for an average time of 31:03 and 69 points.
Jonah Adams earned a spot on the podium with his third place finish, while
Dylan Colander was tenth,
Patton Shortt 16th, and
Chad Douglas finished 18th.
Caleb Ghammashi placed 25th, and
Dorian Almer finished in 27th place.
Wingate leads both the regional and national polls, followed in the regional poll by Anderson, Catawba, Flagler, and Augusta. UNC Pembroke, Lincoln Memorial, and Young Harris are next, followed by the Highland Cavalier harriers. Tusculum rounds out the regional poll in tenth place.
Regional Rankings are determined subjectively by a single member coach in each respective region. The regional representative is tasked with weighing returning teams' strength with current season results (if applicable) in determining a rank-order of squad potential. Only USTFCCCA member programs are eligible to receive a ranking. Teams with provisional status within the region may be ranked.
UVA Wise will next run at the Queens Royals Challenge in Charlotte on October 10. That will be their final regular season meet before the South Atlantic Conference Championship, which will be held on the site of the Preview Meet, Kinser Park in Greeneville, Tennessee, on Oct. 25.
