NEW ORLEANS, La. – In the most recent USTFCCCA Midwest Regional Rankings released this week, the North Dakota men's cross country team has entered the poll at No. 14. This marks the first time a UND cross country team has been ranked in the Midwest Regional Rankings since week one of the 2012 season, when the NoDak men were also ranked No. 14 in the poll.

This season, the Fighting Hawks are off to a hot start, winning the Ron Pynn Classic on Sept. 1 and taking second at the SDSU Classic on Sept. 8. In Brookings, the North Dakota men were the runners-up in the 8K with 52 points, falling to champion South Dakota State by a single point.

Luke Labatte and Justin Jelaca, both named Athletes to Watch in the Summit League, have paced the team. Labatte won the individual title at the Ron Pynn Classic with a 6K time of 18:27.1, while Jelaca was the runner-up in 18:21.8. The following week, Labatte took third in the 8K at the SDSU Classic with a time of 24:47.2. Less than eight seconds later, Jelaca crossed the finish line and was fifth with a time of 24:54.4.

North Dakota will have this week and next weekend as open weeks before taking part in the Marauder Classic (Sept. 29) and Paul Short Run (Sept. 30).