· Men's Cross Country Weekly Report # 1 ·

As we head into week four, consistency is the word that best describes the Top 5 so far this season. Three of the Top 5 teams in this week's NAIA Men's Cross Country Coaches' Top 25 Poll have been there all year. In fact, Malone (Ohio) and Black Hills State (S.D.) have occupied the top two spots in every poll dating back to the preseason. Embry-Riddle (Fla.) has moved around a little bit in the polls but has remained a Top 5 program week in and week out. The Eagles currently sit at No. 3.

· Men's Cross Country News and Notes ·

·         Malone is looking for its third national title after winning it all last season. Last year's championship was the team's first since the 1972 squad became the first-ever Pioneer athletic team to win an NAIA national title.

·         2007 Individual National Champion Aron Rono of Azusa Pacific (Calif.) is off to a hot start this year. On Sept. 13, the senior set a new course record as he won the Aztec Invitational in San Diego. That win was his sixth victory in the past seven races and the 11th of his career.

·         The surprise team of the year so far is Southern Oregon. The Raiders have climbed all the way to No. 10 in the country after beginning the season unranked. They competed in their first event this season on Sept. 20, placing first at the UW Sundoger Invitational in Seattle.