Date Posted: 9/16/2008

MACON, Ga. - The U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) released its Preseason Division I regional rankings on Monday afternoon. Squads from Belmont, ETSU and Jacksonville ranked in the 15-school South Region poll.

Belmont's men ranked fifth and the women took the eleventh slot. The Bruins' cross country teams opened their seasons at the Belmont Opener on Sept. 5. On the men's side, senior Caleb Swartz won the individual competition by running the 5K race in 15:14.63. The highest finish on the women's side was Belmont freshman Nicole Muldowney coming in at 27th on a time of 15:31.27.

Both Belmont teams will return to action on Friday. The men's team runs at the Tennessee Invitational in Maryville, Tenn. while the women's team will participate in the Lady Vol Invitational in Knoxville, Tenn.

ETSU men's team slated number 13, competed in its second meet of the season on Saturday and finished second at Charlotte's Bojangles Invitational. Junior Kenneth Rotich led the Buccaneers as he won his third collegiate race in his illustrious ETSU career.

The Buccaneers cross country team returns to action on Saturday, Sept. 27, when they head down to Macon, Ga. to compete in the Mercer Invitational.

Jacksonville women's team starts the season in the number nine spot in the South Region. The Dolphins women won the JU/UNF 2x1 Relay when they edged out their cross-town rival UNF to win 10-to-11. The junior tandem of Ali Ritter and Alyssa Deal finished second in the meet with a total time of 23:08. Sophomores Susanne Klungtveit and Kelli Midden were third with a mark of 23:29, while juniors Elsabeth Goshu and Tiffanie Saxton had a combined time of 23:50 to finish fifth for the Dolphins.

Jacksonville women are back in action on Saturday for the Mountain Dew Invitational in Gainesville, Fla.

The Atlantic Sun Conference is an 11-member league committed to Building Winners for Life, with a focus on academic and athletic integrity and a balance between the two for the student-athlete, and maintaining a high level of sportsmanship. Headquartered in Macon, Ga., the A-Sun encompasses six of the top eight media markets in the Southeast. The A-Sun consists of some of the most dynamic private and public institutions in the region: Belmont University, Campbell University, East Tennessee State University, Florida Gulf Coast University, Jacksonville University, Kennesaw State University, Lipscomb University, Mercer University, University of North Florida, University of South Carolina Upstate and Stetson University.

Related Links:
 • USTFCCA Rankings