By Drew Harris | UTAMavs.com

ARLINGTON, Texas - The UT Arlington men's and women's cross country teams find themselves listed in the preseason Regional Team Rankings released by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (UTSFCCCA). The men stand sixth in the South Central Regional rankings, while the women are ninth.

Both teams landed the highest positions in the Sun Belt Conference. Other regionally-ranked SBC men's teams include: Arkansas State (14th, South Central), South Alabama (14th, South) and Appalachian State (15th, Southeast). Three other women's teams received billing: South Alabama (11th, South), Arkansas State (14th, South Central) and Coastal Carolina (14th, Southeast).

In the South Central Region, the five teams rated ahead of the men include: Arkansas, Texas, Texas A&M, Stephen F. Austin and Lamar. The women slotted in behind Arkansas, Texas, Rice, SMU, Baylor, Texas A&M, Stephen F. Austin and Lamar.

"Rankings are nice, but the results in October and November will tell the tale of this cross country season," UTA coach John Sauerhage said. "We are looking forward to the competition."

That competition begins at 8 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 10, when the Mavericks host the Gerald Richey Invitational at Grand Prairie's Lynn Creek Park. Other measuring-stick regular season races for UTA include the prestigious Joe Piane Notre Dame Invitational on Sept. 30 and the Alabama Crimson Classic on Oct. 14.

The Sun Belt Conference Championship is set for Oct. 29 in Troy, Ala. The men have won league titles in three of the past four years, while the women claimed the SBC crown in 2014 and placed third in 2015.

On Nov. 11, both UTA teams will make appearances at the NCAA South Central Regional in Fayetteville Ark. The NCAA Championships, which will feature select teams and individuals based on performances at the NCAA regional meets, will be contested in Terre Haute, Ind., on Nov. 19.

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