PITTSBURGH – The Duquesne men's cross country team has earned a spot in the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) Mid-Atlantic Region preseason poll, checking in at No. 12.

It marks the Dukes' first regional ranking since the 2020 season, when they were No. 15 in the Week 5 poll, and their best preseason position since being slotted No. 11 ahead of the 2019 campaign.

Duquesne opened its season this past weekend, finishing second as a team at the 6K Saint Francis Father Bede Invitational. The Dukes placed four runners in the top nine, highlighted by a runner-up finish from sophomore Ben Shields.

Up next, Duquesne will compete at the Spiked Shoe Invitational hosted by Penn State on Thursday, Sept. 12.

2025 USTFCCCA Mid-Atlantic Region Men's Preseason Rankings

1. Princeton (Ivy League)
2. Georgetown (Big East)
3. Villanova (Big East)
4. Navy (Patriot)
5. Penn State (Big Ten)
6. Penn (Ivy League)
7. American (Patriot)
8. Pittsburgh (ACC)
9. Temple (American)
10. La Salle (Atlantic 10)
11. Bucknell (Patriot)
12. Duquesne (Atlantic 10)
13. Rutgers (Big Ten)
14. Monmouth (CAA)
15. George Washington (Atlantic 10)

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