The Dordt University men's cross country team dropped one spot in the latest edition of the NAIA Coaches' poll released by the national office. 

• NAIA Press Release | PDF

Notes:

• the rating is compiled by a panel of head coaches representing each of the conferences and unaffiliated groupings
• the Top 25 is determined by a points system based on how each rater rates the best teams; a team receives 30 points for each first-place vote, 29 for second-place, 28 for third-place and so on through the list.
• today's national rating is the third of the regular season and fourth overall this season (preseason)
• Dordt dropped one spot, from 18th in the Oct.8 poll to the 19th spot in this week's poll
• the Defenders received votes in the preseason ranking
• the Defenders accounted for 233 points, 33 behind of #18 Haskell Indian Nations (Kan.)
• Dordt is 12 points ahead of #19 Park (Mo.) and 24 points in front of Rocky Mountain (Mont.)
• Dordt is the lone team from the Great Plains Athletic Conference (GPAC) in the top 25; one of two from the conference recognized in the top 25 or earning votes
  • Dordt - #19
  • Doane - RV
• Cumberlands (Ky.) is ranked first once again, earning 19 of the 20 possible first place votes and 560 points
• Southern Oregon holds down the No.2 spot, earning the final first place votes and 542 points
• College of Idaho moved up another spot to third, followed by The Master's (Calif.) and Madonna (Mich.), the biggest climber in this week's poll
• Dordt has been ranked in the top 25 or receiving votes in 55 straight NAIA polls
• the Defenders have competed in three meets this season
  • they won both of their home meets and placed fifth at the Augustana Invite
  • they have been the top NAIA team in all three meets
  • Dordt recorded a perfect score (15pts) at the Sunflower Open
  • Hudson Hamilton has been the top Dordt runner in two meets and among the top two Defender runners in all three meets
  • Hamilton has been among the top 15 finishers in all three meets
  • Trace Obbink won the Holiday Inn Express Classic last time out and has been one of the Defendes top three runners in all three meets
  • Hamilton and Obbink both earned GPAC Runner of the Week honors this season
• Dordt will take part in the Blazing Tiger Classic, at Mahoney State Park, this weekend
  • this weekend's meet will be the final one of the regular season