KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Fresh off its first men's cross country national championship in school history in 2013, the top-spot of the 2014 NAIA Men's Cross Country Coaches' Preseason Top 25 Poll belongs to Oklahoma City, the NAIA National Office announced Wednesday.

The ranking marks the Stars' second-straight and second No. 1 ranking in program history, dating back to 1999, as the school regained first-place from its postseason ranking a year ago after capturing the national title at Rim Rock Farm in Lawrence, Kan. Oklahoma City received 591 points and amassed 20 of the 21 first-place votes.

As the Stars look to defend their title this season, the squad returns three All-American athletes from the national championship team one year ago – juniors Arya Bahreini and Peter Koskey, and sophomore Mackenzie Wahpepah-Harris.

Southern Oregon, the 2013 national runner-up, will begin the new season in the second position. This is a familiar spot for the Raiders, as the squad ranked in the top-two during the entire 2013 season. Southern Oregon received 569 points and one first-place vote, the second and final team to earn top spot votes.