NEW ORLEANS, La.- After a strong start to their 2026 season, the Florida Gulf Coast Eagles have earned a spot in the USTFCCCA South Region rankings for the first time in nearly four years, checking in at No. 15 in the first poll of the year. 

The week one rankings have a trio of SEC teams on top with Alabama, Florida, and Georgia leading the way. The Eagles were one of two teams not ranked to start the season that worked their way into the poll after strong starts, joining Auburn who is two spots ahead at No. 13. FGCU is one of just six mid-majors in the rankings with seven SEC and a pair of ACC teams also represented.

FGCU earns the ranking after finishing in third place in back to back races to start their 2026 campaign. They opened at the Florida Intercollegiate Invitational in Jacksonville where multiple runners broke the program's 5k record for a top three team finish. The next time out they turned in another strong effort, notching their second straight third place finish in the FSU Pre-Regional 8k. 

The Eagles are back in action at the Nike Cross Country Town Twilight in Terre Haute, Ind. on Oct. 2nd before returning to the Sunshine State for the Ed Holloway Classic in mid-October.

For more information on the Eagles, follow them on Instagram, X (Twitter) and Facebook, and visit FGCUathletics.com.