Oct. 6, 2008

CAPE GIRARDEAU, MO. (Monday, October 6, 2008) – The Redhawks men’s cross country team maintained their 13^th position rank in the Division I Men’s Midwest Regional Cross Country Rankings put out by the USA Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA). This is the third straight week that the Redhawks have been ranked since the start of the preseason poll on September 9^th.

The Redhawks maintain their top 15 ranking after a strong finish in Louisville, Ky. this weekend. With a healthy team the Redhawks top finisher was Brandon Karcher with a time of 24:37.01, good enough for a 23^rd place finish. Nate Shipley (58^th – 25:19.98), Dustin Davis (68^th – 25:21.54) and Chris Loseman (96^th – 25:39.38) also finished in the top 100 at the meet.

Number two nationally ranked Oklahoma State still leads the Midwest poll, followed by Iowa (#11 in the nation), and Minnesota (#14 in the nation). Tulsa comes in at number four on the Midwest poll, with Iowa right behind. Regional rivals, Southern Illinois, remains number six, with Missouri and Illinois trailing. Kansas comes in 12^th on the poll, followed by the Redhawks. Depaul moves up in the poll this week at number 14, and Wichita State rounds out the top 15.

The Redhawks are one of only three Ohio Valley Conference teams ranked in the nine different USTFCCCA regional polls with Eastern Kentucky ranked No. 6 and Morehead State No. 15 in the USTFCCCA Southeast poll.

The Redhawks will have this week off, in preparation for the Redhawks Classic at the J.C. Golf Course in Cape Girardeau on Friday, October 17^th at 5:00 p.m.