The men’s cross-country team earned its highest preseason South Central Region ranking in school history. It was announced by the U.S. Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association.
The team ranked third behind the University of Arkansas and UT-Austin. The ranking comes after UTA claimed its second consecutive Sun Belt Conference title and fourth conference title in five years.
UTA finished third at the 2016 NCAA South Central Regional meet in Fayetteville, Arkansas, with 135 points behind Arkansas with 40 points and UT-Austin with 81 points.
Key returners are senior Michael Guerrero, who placed ninth in the regional meet, becoming the fifth cross-country runner in UTA history to qualify for the NCAA Championships and sophomore Justin Domingue, who earned All-Sun Belt Conference honors last season.