NEW ORLEANS – The University of Alabama in Huntsville men's cross country team will start the 2012 campaign exactly where it left off in 2011 – ranked tops in the South Region by the United States Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association. The women's squad also owns a strong position in the preseason rankings as it is ranked fourth start the year.
 
Head Coach David Cain's bunch leads the way on the men's side, ranking ahead of second-place Florida Southern. Florida Tech, Nova Southeastern and Tampa round out the top five, and fellow Gulf South Conference member West Florida sits in sixth.
 
The GSC owns the rest of the top 10 with West Alabama in seventh followed by West Georgia, Christian Brothers and Valdosta State.
 
On the women's side, defending region champion Tampa holds down to the top spot with Nova Southeastern and West Florida ranking second and third, respectively. After UAH sits Delta State in fifth, and West Georgia is ranked sixth.
 
Palm Beach Atlantic is in the seventh position with Saint Leo, Florida Tech, and West Alabama rounding out the poll.
 
UAH will start the season a week from Saturday as it hosts the 2012 Fleet Feet Sports / Earl Jacoby Memorial Invitational on Sept. 8 at Sharon Johnston Park in nearby New Market.