Sept. 10, 2003

ROMEOVILLE, Ill. - The Lewis University men are ranked 20th nationally and fourth in the Great Lakes Region in the Cross Country Coaches Association of America 2003 NCAA Division II preseason polls.

Lewis is the highest-ranked Great Lakes Valley Conference (GLVC) team in the Great Lakes Region. Wayne State (Mich.), Grand Valley State (Mich.) and Hillsdale (Mich.), all of the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC), occupy the top three spots.

The Flyers are followed by fellow GLVC members Southern Indiana, Southern Illinois Edwardsville and Wisconsin-Parkside. Ashland (Ohio) of the GLIAC is eighth, followed by Indianapolis of the GLVC and independent Tiffin (Ohio).

Lewis opens its season Friday at the Bradley University Open in Peoria. Last year, the Flyers placed third at the Great Lakes Regional Championship after winning the GLVC title for a second successive season and 10th time in 11 seasons.