Cross Country Moves to No. 1 in Region, Cowan Honored
October 2, 2007

The University of Texas at Tyler men’s cross country team has moved up to No. 1 in the NCAA Division III regional rankings for the South/Southeast Region.

The poll released by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association shows UT Tyler ahead of Emory, which held the top spot until this week.

“Obviously we are incredibly excited about this honor,” said UT Tyler head coach Bob Hepler. “Ultimately polls don’t matter because we have to perform at the conference and regional meets to go the NCAA Championships, but it very nice to see the program and our student-athletes nationally recognized for their hard work.”

The Patriots were ranked No. 5 in last week’s poll but advanced after winning the Rhodes Invitational on Saturday in Memphis, Tenn. UT Tyler upset host Rhodes which was previously No. 2 in the region. The win at Rhodes was UT Tyler’s third team win of the season.

Also, R.J. Cowan, who won the meet with a time of 25:39, was named the American Southwest Conference Runner of the Week, the league office announced today. Cowan’s first-place time set a new UT Tyler record for the 8K.

The Patriots race at the University of Dallas in Irving on Saturday.

Athletics Home Page