Sept. 25, 2007

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. ----- The UAB cross country, coming off a first-place team finish in its last meet, entered the NCAA South Region top 5 in the latest NCAA region poll released Tuesday.

The preseason poll had ranked the Green and Gold 11th to begin the season, but after a convincing team title at the 19th Crimson Classic on Sept. 14, the Blazers jumped six spots to move into the fifth slot.

In just two meets this season, the Blazers have competed well against other region schools. UAB began the season with a fourth place finish at the Belmont Opener and beat 11 other region schools at the Crimson Classic. Six runners placed among the top 16, as the Blazers scored 33 points on their way to capturing their first title of the year.

In the latest release, the Blazers jumped Vanderbilt, Georgia Tech, Auburn, Tennessee-Chattanooga, Belmont and Mississippi State.

UAB returns to compete in the Notre Dame Invitational this Friday.