NEW ORLEANS, La. – The Northwest Missouri State men’s cross country team is ranked 25th in the week one U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association national rankings, as announced by the organization Wednesday. In addition, the Bearcats are ranked fourth in the Central Region rankings.

Northwest is ranked in the nationall polls for the first time since 2012, while 25th is their highest ranking since the 2000 season (21st). The only other MIAA team ranked in the top 25 is Nebraska-Kearney (20th). Three time defending champion Adams State is ranked first after receiving all eight first place votes.

“We are very grateful to be recongized,” said coach Scott Lorek. “We are really looking forward to what this season has in store.”

In the regional rankings, defending champion Augustana tops the list, while cross-town rival Sioux Falls sits behind the Vikings in second place. Nebraska-Kearney rounds out the three teams in front of Northwest.

The Bearcats returned four of their five top scorers from last year’s team that finished 11th at the Central Region Championships. In its first competition of 2015, Northwest finished second behind the Lopers at the Bearcat Open on Sept. 4 in Maryville.

The top five teams at this year’s Central Regional Championships will automatically qualify for the National Championships. Both meets will take place in Joplin, Mo. on the Tom Rutledge Cross Country Course. Northwest has not sent a team to the National Championship race since 1998.

Northwest will return to the course this Saturday, Sept. 19 when it competes in the Woody Greeno Invitational, hosted by the University of Nebraska in Lincoln, Neb.

— Northwest Athletics —