NEW ORLEANS, LA. – The University of Sioux Falls men's cross country team, which opened the season by winning the Augustana Twilight Invitational on Sept. 4 and taking ninth at the Missouri Southern Stampede last weekend, was ranked #23 in the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) NCAA DII Poll released earlier today.

In the USTFCC's preseason poll, the Cougars received 132 vote points. In the first regular season poll by the USTFCCA, the Cougars received more support, pushing their vote total to 134 points. However, the Cougars fell 14 spots to #23 with 31 points in this week's national rankings. Dating to last year, USF, which was ranked #7 in the Central Region rankings this week, has been ranked in 12 consecutive polls.

Adams State retained the top spot in the poll with 195 points while Grand Valley State (Mich.) was second with 194.

Leading the Cougars, directed by head coach Grant Watley, at the Missouri Southern Stampede was sophomore Jase Kraft, who was ninth. As a result, Kraft was named the NSIC Men's Cross Country Athlete of the Week for the second time in three weeks. All-American senior standout Matthew Horan placed 12th at the Stampede.

Next up for the USF men's and women's cross country teams will be a road trip to Briar Cliff Invite on Oct. 10 in McCook Lake, S.D.