INFO | USTFCCCA men's poll, week 7
INFO | USTFCCCA women's poll, week 7
 
New Orleans, La.----The Wingate University men's cross country team is No. 2 in this week's NCAA Division II U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) coaches' poll. The Southeast Region champions have been a program-best No. 2 for three weeks after spending five weeks at No. 3. The Wingate women's XC team is No. 16 as they reflect on their 2023 regional title run as well.
 
Both Bulldog squads have three NCAA Division II Southeast Region championship trophies each. The Wingate women started the fun with a 2013 SER title. The Bulldogs have won two SER women's crowns in a row, topping the charts in 2022 and 2023. The Wingate men are three-time defending region champions with titles in 2021, 2022 and 2023.

What They Are Saying
Wingate graduate student athlete Tatjana Mense
 
"We've come to the point where the majority of the work is done. The fine tuning has started, which means we are finally decreasing volume so our bodies will be at their best next week. So far, we haven't been entirely fresh for racing, which may be why some people out there underestimate us. We all know and trust in what we are capable of and are ready to demonstrate that on the only day where it matters in the end, which is November 18."
 
"I love training with the group and this amazing atmosphere. The team spirit is I think what gives us an advantage and makes us unique compared to other teams. The job's not done, but the 'Dogs are hungry."
 
Wingate senior student-athlete Cas Kopmels
 
"The work we have all been able to put in this season is amazing. Although most of us haven't raced much, it is more important to put in the work at training and perform when it matters most. I am incredibly proud of the way my teammates raced the South Atlantic Conference championship and the Southeast Region championship. They showed great courage and set a perfect example for what needs to be done at the national championship next week."
 
"The team seems very excited and confident in showing the best version of themselves and I myself have gained a lot of confidence in my teammates, even more than I already had. The training we do is very tough, but being with these guys makes it seem easy. We will all do our absolute best in Joplin to make the University proud!"
 
'Dogs win both Southeast Region championship trophies
 
MEN - Wingate's seven student-athletes finished first through seventh to give the Bulldogs a perfect score of 15 points. Junior individual champion Titouan Le Grix led the way, completing the 10K course with a new school-record time of 28:45.0.
 
WOMEN - Seven-of-seven Bulldogs made the 25-member All-Southeast Region team, led by senior silver medalist Mollie Scott and her personal-best 6K time of 21:16.7. Freshman Sira Bo claimed the bronze medal, also posting a PR with her 6K time of 21:27.6.
 
On the Horizon for the Bulldogs
 
Both Wingate XC teams will compete in the NCAA Division II national championship meet on Saturday, Nov. 18. Missouri Southern State University is hosting this year's event at the Tom Rutledge Cross Country Course in Joplin, Missouri. The Adams State University women and the Colorado School of Mines men are the defending champions.
 
The women's 6K race is slated for 11 a.m. EST on Saturday, Nov. 18. The men's 10K race follows at 12:15 p.m. EST. The Bulldog men finished a program-best second in the 2022 Division II national championship meet in University Place, Washington. The Wingate women count a fifth-place performance in the 2021 Division II national championship meet in Saint Leo, Florida as their program-best showing.
 
Wingate University
 
Wingate University is a lab of difference-making that serves more than 3,400 students in North Carolina and offers 60 degree pathways, including 37 undergraduate majors, 10 pre-professional tracks and five dual-degree programs. Graduate students choose from seven master's and five doctoral programs. The University is home to the Cannon College of Arts and Sciences, the Levine College of Health Sciences, the Byrum School of Business, the Thayer School of Education and the School of Sport Sciences.
 
Founded in 1896, Wingate University is a leader in healthcare education where nearly one in five undergraduate students is preparing to be a pharmacist, physician assistant, physical therapist, occupational therapist or nurse. Student-athletes on Wingate's 25 teams compete in NCAA Division II and have brought home the SAC Echols Athletic Excellence Award the past 15 times it has been awarded. The University's motto is "Faith, Knowledge, Service." View current news and videos at www.wingate.edu.
 
OneDog, #OneDog, and One Day One Dog are registered trademarks of Wingate University.
 
Wingate University women's cross country
NCAA national championship history
 
Team participation
2004 – Evansville, Ind.                                              
2007 – Joplin, Mo.                                                     
2013 – Spokane, Wash.                                             
2014 – Louisville, Ky.                                               
2015 – Joplin, Mo.                                                     
2016 – Saint Leo, Fla.                                                
2019 – Sacramento, Calif.
2021 – Saint Leo, Fla.
2022 – University Place, Wash.                                                
2023 – Joplin, Mo.
 
Individual participation (site)
2003 – Natalie Creech (Cary, N.C.)
2006 – Amber Hines (Pensacola, Fla.)
2012 – Keeley Wood (Joplin, Mo.)
2017 – Madison Hiatt (Evansville, Ind.)
 
Wingate University men's cross country
NCAA national championship history
 
Team participation
2021 – Saint Leo, Fla.                                                
2022 – University Place, Wash.
2023 – Joplin, Mo.

Individual participation (site)
2006 – Jayce Watson (Pensacola, Fla.)
2007 – Jayce Watson (Joplin, Mo.)
2008 – Jayce Watson (Slippery Rock, Pa.)
2019 – Micah Kipchumba (Sacramento, Calif.)