NEW ORLEANS, La. --- The Tusculum University men's cross country team is ranked seventh in this week's U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association Division II Southeast Region poll.

The Pioneers dropped two spots from fifth in last week's rankings, after tying for fourth place at the University of North Georgia Invitational on Saturday.

Mount Olive, ranked second last week, switched places with Queens to take over the top spot in this week's survey. Augusta remained third, with UNC Pembroke leaping from 10th to fourth after finishing second to Augusta at the UNG Invitational. Georgia College moved up four positions from ninth to fifth in this week's rankings on the strength of a second-place showing at the 35-team Louisville Classic.

The remaining five teams in the poll -- Anderson, Tusculum, Flagler, Wingate and Columbus State -- dropped two spots after being passed by UNC Pembroke and Georgia College.

The USTFCCCA Regional Cross Country Rankings are determined subjectively by a single member coach in each respective region. The regional representative is tasked with weighing returning teams' strength with current season results in determining predicted team finishes at the NCAA Regional Championships.

Tusculum returns to competition on Friday, Oct. 12 at the Royals Cross Country Challenge, hosted by Queens in Charlotte, North Carolina.