Hutchinson CC Sports Information

The Hutchinson Community College men's cross country team attained its highest national ranking in program history on Wednesday when the first United States Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) NJCAA Division I rankings were released on Wednesday.

The Blue Dragons are ranked No. 3 in the Division I rankings. Hutchinson's previous high team rank was No. 4 in 2018.

Not many teams around the country competed last weekend and there are several schools not running cross country this season because of the Coronavirus pandemic. Cross Country stayed in its traditional season slot while the rest of the fall sports' seasons were moved to spring by the NJCAA because of the pandemic.

Hutchinson finished third in the season-opening Terry Masterson Classic on Friday at Fun Valley.

The Blue Dragons were paced by all-region runner Teagan Flanagan, who finished as individual runner-up on Friday night at the Masterson. The Blue Dragons had three other runners finish in the Top 20 on Friday. Sophomore Jacob Mcelhanon was sixth overall, followed by sophomore Matthew Schrag (13th) and freshman Cameron Delaney (19th).

Iowa Central and New Mexico Junior College are Nos. 1 and 2 in the men's rankings, followed by Hutchinson, Vincennes and Cloud County.

The Blue Dragon men have been ranked in 14 consecutive national polls, dating back to 2017.

The Blue Dragons will next compete at the Muthama-Rogers Invitational at Bethel College in North Newton on September 19.