USTFCCCA Honors Three MAAC Schools with National and Regional Preseason Ranking
EDISON, N.J. – The United States Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) announced its 2019 NCAA D1 Men’s and Women’s National and Regional Preseason Rankings, with three MAAC schools making the cut.
The USTFCCCA’s 2019 NCAA D1 National Preseason Ranking demonstrates the top 30 cross country programs in the nation that are set to leave their mark at the NCAA D1 Cross Country Championship on Nov. 23 in Terre Haute, Indiana.
On the men’s side, Iona College was ranked No. 19 in the nation. The Gaels finished 28
th last year at the NCAA Cross Country Championship after winning the school’s 27
th consecutive MAAC Championship.
The USTFCCCA’s 2019 NCAA D1 Regional Preseason Ranking demonstrates the top 15 cross country programs in each of the nine regions. The top two teams at each regional championship advance to the NCAA D1 Cross Country Championship.
On the men’s side, Iona College was ranked No. 2 in the Northeast Region for the sixth time in the past seven years. The Gaels return all but one of the runners from last year’s top-7 that propelled the team to a runner-up finish at the regional meet. The top spot in the Northeast Region was awarded to Syracuse University.
Monmouth University also received recognition, ranked No. 13 in the Mid-Atlantic Region. The Hawks finished 13
th at the Mid-Atlantic Regional Championship last year at the PSU White-Blue Course in University Park, Pennsylvania.
On the women’s side, Iona College was ranked No. 4 in the Northeast Region Preseason Ranking. Junior Egle Morenaite finished 2
nd last year at the Northeast Regional Championship with a time of 21:39.9 for a 6k, which qualified her for an individual spot at the NCAA D1 Cross Country Championship.
Marist College was ranked No. 11 in the Northeast Region. The Red Foxes were led by Gianna Tedeschi at the Northeast Regional Championship last year, where they beat out the University of Connecticut, Stony Brook University, and Albany University.
The MAAC starts the 2019 season this weekend. Keep up with all MAAC cross country action by following @MAACSports on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. For championship information, visit
MAACSports.com/XC.
About the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA):
The U.S Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association is a non-profit professional organization representing cross country and track & field coaches of all levels. The organization represents 6,000 coaching members encompassing NCAA track & field programs (DI, DII, DIII) and includes members representing the NAIA and NJCAA, as well as a number of state high coaches associations.
About the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference:
With 11 institutions strongly bound by the sound principles of quality and integrity in academics and excellence in athletics, the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) is in its 39th year of competition during the 2019-20 academic year. Current conference members include: Canisius College, Fairfield University, Iona College, Manhattan College, Marist College, Monmouth University, Niagara University, Quinnipiac University, Rider University, Saint Peter’s University, and Siena College.