LOWELL, Mass. – The UMass Lowell men's and women's cross country teams have both earned a spot in the USTFCCCA Northeast Regional Rankings after strong performances at the Coast to Coast Invitational last Friday.

The men were placed eighth, their highest ranking ever, and the women appeared in the rankings at number 14.  It is the first time, during the season, that both teams have been ranked at the same time.

"Our goal when the season began was to have two teams capable of being ranked," said UMass Lowell Head Coach Gary Gardner.  "Hopefully we've arrived, but there is still much to prove."

In the eighth spot River Hawk men find themselves slotted higher than pereniel regional cross country powers Providence and Dartmouth.  UMass Lowell men finished sixth at the Coast to Coast Invitational in Franklin Park, in Boston,  last Friday in what was their first test against top notch competition.  The River Hawks were the highest finishing team among a group of five that represented America east.  Syracuse won the event and holds the top spot in the Northeast Region.

"You need to have nine or ten people running well to have six or seven run well at any given meet," according to Gardner.  "We are at a point where we feel we can run with anybody on any given day."

Stony Brook, at number six, is the only America East men's team with a higher regional ranking.

The women's team finished 11th at the event in Franklin Park and was second among America East schools.  The performance helped UMass Lowell move into the regional rankings for the first time since the season started.

"We are just scratching the surface," said Gardner.  "We're not fully healthy yet so there is room for growth."

The River Hawks will now get a bit of a break.  They have this weekend off before return to competition October 7 for the New England Championships on the familiar course at Franklin Park.