CANTON -- St. Lawrence University's men's cross country team will go into the 2014 season ranked 25th in the initial national poll by the USTFCCCA and third among NCAA Atlantic Regional teams.

The Saints, who will be out to continue an impressive string of Liberty League Championships and add to their list of NCAA team appearances, join SUNY Geneseo (13th) and SUNY Cortland (19th) among the Atlantic Region teams in the top 25 while RPI is also in the poll at 30th.

Coach John Newman's team has made six straight national appearances and has won 19 straight Liberty League titles. The Saints return five of their top seven from the team which finished fourth in the 39 team Atlantic Regional a year ago, led by seniors Trevor Bibb and Scott Smolensky.

Sophomore Thomas Caulfield, the 2013 Liberty League Rookie of the Year and juniors Spencer Patterson and Wesley Kirui are the other returnees from the top seven in the Atlantic Regional race. Other key returnees include junior Harrison Sloan, senior Aaron Tompkins and sophomore Joe Smith while five newcomers will also contend for top seven spots on the Saint roster.

SLU will officially open its season at the Plattsburgh Cardinal Invitational on Sept. 6.