RICHMOND, Ky. – The Eastern Kentucky University men's cross country team has been ranked No. 22 in the Saucony Flo50, a preseason national countdown presented by the website Flotrack.org.
 
EKU returns several key runners from a team that finished 23^rd at last year's NCAA Championships, including juniors Amos Kosgey, Ambrose Maritim and Luka Ndungu and sophomores Jakob Abrahamsen and Ronald Korir.
 
It was the Colonels' fourth consecutive trip to the NCAA meet. In 2013 – behind the star power of All-Americans Soufiane Bouchikhi and Wade Meddles – Eastern placed 15^th in Terre Haute, the best finish in program history.
 
Flotrack, however, notes that, with its combination of key returners and talented newcomers, the 2015 EKU squad "could potentially be in position to finish highest in team history at NCAAs."
 
The Colonels are ranked just ahead of North Carolina (No. 27), Arkansas (No. 26), Florida State (No. 25), New Mexico (No. 24) and Colorado State (No. 23) in the Saucony Flo50.
 
The U.S. Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) preseason regional and national rankings are scheduled to be released next week.
 
Eastern opens the cross country season next Tuesday, September 1, with a dual meet versus Kentucky.