NEW ORLEANS | As the start of the 2015 NCAA Division II cross country season quickly approaches with action kicking off on Thursday, the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) announced Tuesday the preseason Regional Rankings with the University of North Georgia ranked second in the Southeast region.

North Georgia is on the heels of a banner campaign in 2014 that saw the Nighthawks finish second at both the Peach Belt Conference and NCAA Division II Southeast Region as the team earned the program's first-ever bid to the National Championship race.

Head coach Tom Williams returns 10 runners from last year's team with junior Brittany Truitt anchoring the roster after being named All-Conference last year and finishing eighth at the NCAA regional.

USTFCCCA regional cross country rankings are determined subjectively by a single member coach in each respective region. The regional representative is tasked with weighing returning teams strength with current season results (if applicable) in determining predicted team finishes at the NCAA Regional Championships.

UNG opens the 2015 season on Friday (Sept. 4) at the Struts Invitational hosted by Jacksonville State.

USTFCCCA Southeast Regional Ranking – September 1

1. Montevallo
2. North Georgia
3. Wingate
4. Queens
5. Flagler
6. Anderson
7. Georgia Regents
8. Lincoln Memorial
9. Columbus State
10. Mars Hill