NEW ORLEANS, La.- The Augusta University men's cross-country team is now ranked No. 27 in the latest national poll. The Jags have jumped to the No. 2 spot in the NCAA Division II Southeast Regional rankings, released by the U.S Track and Field Cross Country Coaches Association on Tuesday afternoon.
 
NCAA REGIONAL POLL
 
NCAA NATIONAL POLL
 
The Jags are off to a strong start to the season, having competed in the Southern Showcase and the Queen City Invitational this past weekend.
 
 
 WEEKEND RESULTS 
 
SOUTHERN SHOWCASE RESULTS

The Jaguars had another impressive showing, finishing eighth in a field of 32 teams which were almost exclusively Division I. Augusta finished just behind and within two seconds of Lee (TN) who is ranked No. 7 in the nation for Division II cross country. AU was the second-best Division II team in the field.
Southern Showcase Top 10

1. Ole Miss
2. Auburn
3. Alabama
4. Kentucky
5. Middle Tennessee State
6. Tulane
7. Lee (TN)
8. Augusta
9. Cumberlands
10. New Orleans

 
Avery Jaynes was the top runner for AU, finishing his 8k in 24:23.8 and carding a 21st-place finish. Newcomer Brandon Martin turned in a time of 24:41.0. Patrick Motes was the third runner to finish in 24:50.6. Jordan Robertson (25:03.7) and Carlos Rodriguez (25:06.2) rounded out the top 5. All of the Jaguars finished in the top 65 runners of the more than 300 that competed.


QUEEN CITY INVITATIONAL RESULTS

The Augusta team who traveled to Charlotte finished fifth overall.
Queen City Top 10

1. Queens (N.C)
2. UNC-Greensboro
3. Davidson
4. Wingate
5. Augusta University
6. SCAD Savannah
7. Young Harris
8. Limestone
9. Methodist
10. Presbyterian

Andrew Helfers took the top spot, clocking a time of 25:56.9. Benjamin Roberts came across the line next at 26.31.2. Seth Eye finished his race in 26:57.0. Shahzeb Rashid and Cailan Howard rounded out the top five AU runners.