New Orleans- In the preseason NCAA DII Cross Country Regional Rankings, Converse University's women's team started the season ranked eighth. The women were ranked just behind Augusta University, who was slotted in the seventh spot, and just ahead of conference rivals King University and UNCP Pembroke, who rounded out the top ten teams.

After their first race, the women took down the seventh ranked Augusta Jaguars head to head at the USC Upstate Eye Opener Invitational and have improved their regional ranking, coming in the fifth spot in today's latest regional poll. This is the highest ranking the women have ever received. 

And in addition to the women, after being unranked last week, the men's program has secured their first ever top 10 ranking, taking the final spot in today's regional poll.

Head Coach, Mark Rennix had this to say; "Both of our teams had great season openers and it is obvious that the other coaches in the region took notice of that. We understand that there is still a lot of work to be done, but we are very pleased where both programs are heading."

Click here to read the full USTFCCCA release.

The regionally ranked Valkyries will be competing this Saturday at 9:00am at their home meet, the Converse Kick-Off, located at Milliken Arboretum.

Follow Converse

https://www.facebook.com/ConverseValkyries

Twitter: @valkyries_wxctf

Instagram: @Valkyriesxctrack

Youtube.com/Converse Athletics