FAIRFAX, VA. - The George Mason men's cross country team has been ranked tenth by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) in the 2013 Preseason Southeast Regional rankings.

After finishing sixth overall in 2012's NCAA Southeast Regional, the Patriot men have been selected as a preseason top-10 team for the 2013 season, their first season as a member of the Atlantic 10 Conference. The men's team improved three spots from their 2012 preseason ranking where they were ranked 13th in the Southeast Region.

Ranking first in the region is Eastern Kentucky, followed by 2012 regional champion Virginia, NC State, Duke and North Carolina ranking fifth. Louisville, Virginia Tech and Liberty come next in the preseason rankings, followed by former-conference opponent William and Mary and George Mason to round out the top ten. Mason is the only team from the Atlantic 10 Conference in the men's preseason rankings.

Furman, Wake Forest, Kentucky, UNCG and Clemson University make up the final five teams.

The Patriot men begin their 2013 season for the second straight year at the Spider Alumni Open, hosted by the University of Richmond, at Pole Green Park in Mechanicsville, Va. on September 6th.

2013 Preseason SOUTHEAST Regional Team Rankings