NEW ORLEANS, La. – The Tarleton Texan men's cross country program has been selected as the top-ranked team in the South Central Region, according to the U.S. Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA).

The Texans, who finished second at the Lone Star Conference Championships last year before finishing fourth at the regional meet. This year, the Texans were picked to finish second in the Lone Star Conference in the LSC preseason poll.

Each team in the USTFCCCA poll is placed in order by a representative in each region. 

Pittsburg State, Fort Hays State, Missouri Southern and Eastern New Mexico follow the Texans through fifth in the poll while Emporia State, Central Missouri, Cameron, East Central and Abilene Christian round out the poll.

The Texans will open their season on Sept. 25 at the North Texas Ken Garland/Northwest Invitational in Denton.