Sept. 21, 2005

COMMERCE - Coming off its biggest performance of the season, the Texas A&M University-Commerce men's cross country team moved to 10th in the D2Coaches.com South Central Regional Rankings.

The Lion men finished ahead of Pittsburg State (Kan.), which is fifth in the region, and Southwest (Mo.) Baptist at the Missouri Southern Stampede this past weekend, placing 13th out of 33 teams in the nationally recognized meet.

Ryan Dirickson finished the 8,000-meter course with a top team time of 26:16 for 47th overall.

"Ryan ran an aggressive race very intelligently," head coach Pat Ponder exclaimed about the senior out of Mesquite.

Chase Snowden finished behind Dirickson at 26:28, while Logan Bowman (27:14), Caleb Reynolds (27:37), Matt Snowden (27:44), and Amos Davidson (29:32) rounded out A&M-Commerce.

The Lions women finished 29th as Andra Bickel led the team with a 19:26 time.

Lone Star Conference foe Abilene Christian tops the regional list and is second nationally behind Adams State on the men's side.

"These first two races were good preparation meets," Ponder said as the Lions begin the second phase of the season against added Division II competition.

With the LSC Championships a month away, the Lions will be resting their legs this week before heading out to Stillwater, Okla., for the Cowboy Jamboree on Oct. 1.

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D2Coaches.com South Central Rankings
1. Abilene Christian
2. Central Missouri State
3. Missouri Southern
4. Truman State
5. East Central Oklahoma (7)
6. Pittsburg State (5)
7. Angelo State (8)
8. Eastern New Mexico (9)
9. Northwest Missouri State (6)
10. Texas A&M-Commerce (NR)