By Layne Weitzel, TTU Sports Information
BRENTWOOD, Tenn. – The Tennessee Tech men's cross country team has been picked to finish third in the 2017 Ohio Valley Conference standings, as announced by the OVC office Thursday.
The Golden Eagles received 102 points and also earned a first-place vote based on a conference-wide vote from head cross country coaches. Programs were awarded 11 points for a first-place vote, 10 points for a second-place vote, etc. Coaches could not include their own schools in their rankings.
"I am pleased with the preseason ranking of our men's team," said head coach Wayne Angel. "It means a lot to have your peers recognize the potential of your team. It is the highest preseason ranking that Tech cross country has ever had.
"We won't take it lightly. We will do our best to meet those expectations and beyond."
The predicted 2017 order of finish is as follows for each of the 12 OVC men's cross country programs:
| TEAM | POINTS |
| 1. Eastern Kentucky (10 first-place votes) | 120 |
| 2. Belmont (one first-place vote) | 106 |
| 3. Tennessee Tech (one first-place vote) | 102 |
| 4. Morehead State | 91 |
| 5. Eastern Illinois | 79 |
| 6. UT Martin | 75 |
| 7. Southeast Missouri | 52 |
| 8. Murray State | 46 |
| 9. SIUE | 42 |
| 10. Austin Peay | 40 |
| 11. Jacksonville State | 27 |
| 12. Tennessee State | 12 |
Tech will open the 2017 season on Sept. 2 at the Golden Eagle Invitational in Cookeville.
Photo by Thomas Corhern
