The Eastern Oregon University men’s cross country team was ranked 18th in the nation in the NAIA preseason coaches poll, which came out on Thursday.

The Mountaineers, who received 260 points in the poll, are one of four ranked Cascade Collegiate Conference teams, and one of three in the top 20. Eastern is joined by No. 4 Southern Oregon, No. 6 College of Idaho, and No. 24 Oregon Tech in the rankings. A fifth CCC squad, Northwest Christian was receiving votes in the poll.

It’s the 20th consecutive time the Mountaineers have appeared in the national poll dating back to the 2016 season, with 11 of those rankings being inside the top 10. Eastern has reached as high as fifth in the nation during the stretch. The Mountaineers’ highest ranking in the last 20 years came in 2008, when the team twice was picked second.

Reigning national champion Oklahoma City opened the season as the nation’s No. 1 team.

The EOU women’s team fell short of making the top 25, but did receive 29 points in the poll for 36th. The last time the Mountaineer women were in the coaches’ rankings was the final poll of the 2012 season, when they were 13th. The highest rating for EOU in the past 20 years came in 2000, when it opened the season fifth.

Four CCC opponents — Southern Oregon (No. 4), defending national champion Oregon Tech (No. 7), College of Idaho (No. 9) and Northwest Christian (No. 18).

Madonna (Michigan) opened the season at No. 1 after being the runner up last fall.

Both the men and women’s teams open the season when they host the EOU Invitational Sept. 13.