USTFCCCA DII Men's Cross Country National Poll (Oct. 12)

NEW ORLEANS -- After claiming first overall at the SF State Invitational to continue a special season thus far, the Academy of Art University men's cross country team has garnered national attention. In a Wednesday morning announcement by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA), the Urban Knights have been ranked No. 24 on the Division II National Poll. It is their first national ranking in program history.

"The men have been working hard and have been very focused on achieving the goals they set for themselves this season," said director of track & field/cross country Torrey Olson. "It is great to see that their progress toward those goals is being recognized by the coaches making up the polls committee and I hope this provides some added motivation to keep doing the little things."

In a breakthrough after receiving votes on the poll in the previous week, ART U was slotted into No. 24 behind Shippensburg at No. 23 and ahead of Lewis at No. 25. The Urban Knights, who have been led by four-time Pacific West Conference Runner of the Week Joshua Thorson, were one of two PacWest schools in the Top 25, behind California Baptist who was tied with Mount Olive for No. 17. Academy of Art was also one of six institutions from the West Region to make this week's poll, the final regular season installment.

A portion of the ART U roster will be in action at Santa Clara's Bronco Invitational on Oct. 15 while others look ahead to the Pacific West Conference Championships on Oct. 22 in Hawaii.