USTFCCCA DII Men's Cross Country National Poll (Nov. 9)

NEW ORLEANS -- On the heels of finishing fourth at the NCAA Division II West Regional Championship to qualify for NCAA Nationals for the first time in program history, the Academy of Art University men's cross country team achieved their highest national ranking in a Wednesday morning announcement by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA). On the Division II National Coaches' Poll once earlier this season, the Urban Knights are now ranked No. 15 overall.
 

ART U is one of six teams from a loaded West Region among the Top 25 with No. 4 Chico State, No. 5 Alaska Anchorage, and No. 8 Cal Poly Pomona ahead of No. 17 California Baptist and No. 24 UC San Diego. At Regionals, Academy of Art was led by graduate student Pierre Fontanarosa and PacWest Newcomer of the Year Gatien Airiau, both USTFCCCA All-Region honorees, along with PacWest Runner of the Year Joshua Thorson, graduate student Kris Everett, and redshirt sophomore Brett Bermudez.

The Urban Knights head to Abbey Course in St. Leo, Florida for NCAA DII Nationals on Nov. 19.