NEW ORLEANS (Oct. 15, 2019) – For the first time in nearly four years, Oklahoma Christian's men's cross country team is regionally ranked.

The Eagles debuted Tuesday at No. 9 in the South Central Region rankings produced by the U.S. Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association. OC, in its first season in the Lone Star Conference, has produced a string of solid results this season and won the South Central Regional Preview race Saturday at The Range in Canyon, Texas.

OC's last – and before Tuesday, only – appearance in the regional rankings at the NCAA Division II level came on Oct. 27, 2015, when the Eagles entered at No. 7 immediately after sweeping to the Heartland Conference title in the league meet.

OC competes in Division II's most difficult cross country region, which includes national powers from the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference as well as the perennially strong LSC.

Three RMAC schools topped the regional rankings – Colorado Mines, Adams State (Colo.) and Western Colorado. West Texas A&M of the LSC was No. 4, followed by Colorado-Colorado Springs and Colorado Christian of the RMAC. Another LSC program, Lubbock Christian (Texas), was No. 7, with Metro State (Colo.) of the RMAC at No. 8. Following OC at No. 10 was a fourth LSC squad, Tarleton State (Texas).

USTFCCCA regional cross country rankings are determined subjectively by a single member coach in each respective region. The regional representative is tasked with weighing returning teams' strength with current season results in determining predicted team finishes at the NCAA regional championships.

"It's nice to get a spot in the regional rankings," OC coach Wade Miller said. "The team has been working hard and we are excited moving into the postseason and actually racing for it."

OC's next meet will be the Lone Star Conference Championship, set to be run Oct. 26 in Silver City, N.M. at University Golf Course at Scott Park.