By Jonathan Caudle, TTU Sports Information

NEW ORLEANS, La. - As the Golden Eagles begin the Peter Dalton era, the Tennessee Tech men's cross country team will begin their season ranked 11^th in the south region, announced by the United States Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association.

Leading the men's south region is Ole Miss, with Florida State ranking second and Alabama, Middle Tennessee State, and Georgia Tech rounding out the top five.

The Golden Eagles had a phenomenal finish to their 2018 season, as they claimed a seventh-place finish in the South Region. Belmont joins Tech in the regional rankings as the only other Ohio Valley Conference school to begin the season ranked regionally.

Looking forward to the 2019 season, the Golden Eagles are highlighted by senior Brannon Cheplak, who earned all-region honors at last season's NCAA South Region Championship. Sophomore Gabriel Kiprono also looks to make a huge impact during Tech's 2019 season as he claimed Tech's second-best finish at 35^th during the region championships in 2018.

Senior Benard Sigei and junior Ababu Mohamed round out the Golden Eagles returners. A familiar face rounds out the Golden Eagle squad for the 2019 season as graudate Hannes Vohn returns for the 2019 season following a one-year hiatus from competition.

Tech will look to start their season strong when they travel to the Music City for the Belmont Opener this Friday, Aug. 30.

USTFCCCA Men's Preseason South Region Rankings

1. Ole Miss
2. Florida State
3. Alabama
4. Middle Tennessee Tech University Georgia Tech
5. Tennessee
6. Belmont
7. North Florida
8. ETSU
9. Florida
10. Tennessee Tech
11. Samford
12. Georgia
13. Vanderbilt
14. Lipscomb

Photo by Thomas Corhern, TTU Sports Information