HUNTSVILLE | The U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association announced its 2021 Preseason Division II National Coaches Poll on Wednesday, and The University of Alabama in Huntsville men's cross country team was ranked eighth ahead of Saturday's season-opening race.
 
This is the highest national ranking in the history of the UAH men's cross country program.
 
The USTFCCCA additionally announced its preseason Division II regional rankings this week, with the Chargers men's squad first in the South Region and the UAH women's team fifth.
 
The UAH men are coming off an incredible 2020 season, as the squad captured its second straight Gulf South Conference Championship in addition to finishing first overall at the National D2 Cross Country Invitational to wrap up the campaign.
 
The Chargers return all seven of their All-GSC honorees from a year ago, including First Team performers Harold Lacroix, Jay Day, Gabe Henneberger and Caleb Boys.
 
On the women's side, UAH is coming off a fourth-place finish at the 2020 GSC Championships, where Kaylee Stewart and Taylor Engram both garnered All-GSC honors. A total of eight runners from last season return for 2021.
 
UAH starts off 2021 campaign Saturday in Memphis, Tennessee, with the Memphis Twilight hosted by Christian Brothers.