SAINT LEO, Fla. – Saint Leo women's cross country will begin its 2017 season with the highest national ranking in program history, after the Lions were tabbed at No. 19 in the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) Division II preseason poll unveiled Thursday.

"Getting a ranking of 19th is the best that we've ever had and is an accomplishment," said Kent Reiber, Saint Leo's head cross country coach. "It speaks volumes about the work that we've put in over the past couple years and the point that we're at right now. For our women to be ranked that high gives them a lot of motivation and confidence in what they can do, but we don't have to do anything special; we just have to go out there and do what we've been doing from last spring into this preseason."

The Lions, who are ranked No. 1 in the USTFCCCA South Region rankings announced earlier in the week, are one of two South Region teams in the poll. Lee University (Tenn.) checked in at No. 25 in the national ranking.

Saint Leo women's cross country opens its 2017 season on Saturday, Sept. 2, when it runs in the Southeastern University Fire Short Course Invitational at Holloway Park in Lakeland, Fla.

For the latest news, updates, and information on Saint Leo women's cross country and track sure to visit SaintLeoLions.com. Fans can also stay up-to-date on the latest Lions news by following Saint Leo Athletics on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.