NEW ORLEANS, LA – The United States Track & Field and Cross Country Association announced its latest 2019 Division I Cross Country national rankings Tuesday afternoon. The Iona College men's cross country program is ranked eighth in the nation with 255 votes.
The Gaels stands still in the national rankings following their dominant 2019 Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference championship victory. Jumping ahead of Iona in the poll is Oregon, who vault up 10 spots to No. 6 following its runner-up effort at the PAC-12 championships. The top five times in the nation remain the same as they have been all season: Northern Arizona, BYU, Colorado, Stanford and Iowa State.
For the Maroon & Gold at the 2019 MAAC Championships, it was Ehab El-Sandali who led the charge with his first place finish. He crossed the finish line first in front of four Gaels who all combined for a perfect team score. The Maroon & Gold have won 29 straight MAAC titles, which is the longest conference winning streak across of NCAA D1 athletics.
The next loop of championship season is the NCAA Northeast Regional Championship on Friday, November 15. The Gaels travel to Buffalo, NY for a race that puts their talents against the treacherous Audobon Golf Course. The top two finishing teams at the Northeast Regional earn an automatic bid to the NCAA Championship on Saturday, November 23, in Terre Haute, IN at Lavern Gibson XC Course.
The next National Coaches' Poll will be released on Monday, November 18 following the conclusion of Regional Championships Weekend.
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