NEW ORLEANS --- For the second day in a row the Bellarmine University men's and women's cross country team receives lofty rankings from the United States Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association as they ranked the men's team 16th nationally and the women 21st.

These rankings come on the heels of the USTFCCCA releasing their regional rankings for the men(3rd) and women(4th). This marks the first time that both teams have been ranked in the preseason polls at the same time.

“This is a tremendous honor for both our programs,” said head coach Jim Vargo. “I think both teams finished strong last season, and we are really hoping to pick up where we left off.”

Last season the women won the Great Lakes Valley Conference Championship for the first time in the program's history while the men advanced to the NCAA Championship and finished 22nd.

Both teams return plenty of talent from a year ago and will look to factor into the GLVC Championship. Their season starts on Sept. 9 at the Queen City Invite in Alexandria, Ky.

USTFCCCA Release