NEW ORLEANS – The Converse University men's cross country team moved up to ninth in the latest Southeast Regional poll by the U.S. Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association, as released by the organization on Tuesday.

In their latest race, the Louisville Classic, the Valkyries finished third overall and were the second-best Division II team. Junior Ander Vera Moleres won the 8K and earned Conference Carolinas Runner of the Week for his efforts.

The Valkyries are joined in the regional rankings by a pair of Conference Carolinas teams: Young Harris at sixth and UNC Pembroke at eighth. The Braves are the defending conference champions and the Mountain Lions were the 2025 conference runners-up.

The defending national champion Wingate Bulldogs sit atop the regional poll and are also ranked first in the national poll.

The Valkyries return to the course on Friday, Oct. 9, as they head to Charlotte, North Carolina, for the Royals Cross Country Challenge hosted in the afternoon by Queens University.
  
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