Both Eagle Cross Country Teams Regionally Ranked After Carnegie Mellon Invite Success

For the first time in 2026, both of Ashland University's cross country teams are in the top 10 in the Midwest Region, as, on Tuesday (Oct. 13) afternoon in the latest U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) NCAA Division II regional cross country rankings, the Eagle men are No. 7, and the AU women are No. 9.
 
While the Ashland men have been in the top 10 in the region all season, and No. 7 is their second-highest spot so far this fall, this marks the first time the Eagle women have been regionally ranked since the 2016 preseason.
 
On Saturday (Oct. 10) morning at the Carnegie Mellon Invitational, Ashland's men finished first out of 23 teams, and Ashland's women were third out of 24 squads.
 
"After the weekend, we are continuing to see our results trend in the direction the team has envisioned," said Ashland head coach Jacob Sussman. "Both the men's and women's team should be proud of what they have done so far."
 
The Ashland men and women will conclude the regular season on Oct. 24 at the University of Alabama in Huntsville Chargers XC Invitational.
 
2026 ASHLAND UNIVERSITY USTFCCCA MEN'S CROSS COUNTRY REGIONAL RANKINGS: No. 6 (preseason), No. 9 (Sept. 15), No. 10 (Sept. 29 and Oct. 6), No. 7 (Oct. 13).
 
2026 ASHLAND UNIVERSITY USTFCCCA WOMEN'S CROSS COUNTRY REGIONAL RANKINGS: No. 9 (Oct. 13).