DALLAS – Conference USA men’s and women’s cross country programs were well-represented in the U.S. Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) regional 2021 preseason rankings, the organization announced on Monday. Six teams found themselves in the top 15 on the women’s side while five men’s programs earned a spot in their respective region’s top 15.
 
Rice, who returns 2020 C-USA Individual Champion and All-American Grace Forbes, came in with the highest women’s ranking at No. 3 in the South Central Region. Two-time defending C-USA Champion Middle Tennessee is ranked sixth in the South Region followed by No. 13 Southern Miss and No. 15 UAB.
 
Charlotte, the 2020 Conference USA runner up, earned a No. 10 ranking in the Southeast region while UTEP sits at No. 15 in the Mountain region.
 
On the men’s side, three teams earned top 5 placements led by Middle Tennessee who is third in the South Region. Rice came in at No. 4 in the South Central Region followed by No. 10 North Texas. The 2020 C-USA Champions Charlotte earned a No. 4 ranking in the Southeast regional while UTEP is at No. 13 in the Mountain Region.
 
The 2021 Cross Country season officially gets started this week with 10 teams opening their campaign. The C-USA preseason poll will be released on Tuesday, Aug. 31.
 
2021 USTFCCCA Men’s Preseason Regional Rankings
South Region
No. 3 – Middle Tennessee
 
South Central Region
No. 4 – Rice
No. 10 – North Texas
 
Southeast Region
No. 4 – Charlotte
 
Mountain Region
No. 13 – UTEP
 
2021 USTFCCCA Women’s Preseason Regional Rankings
South Central Region
No. 3 – Rice
 
South Region
No. 6 – Middle Tennessee
No. 13 – Southern Miss
No. 15 – UAB
 
Southeast Region
No. 10 – Charlotte
 
Mountain Region
No. 15 – UTEP