LOUISVILLE - After a 13-0 start, Carson-Newman has jumped up four spots into the NFCA top 10, the organization announced Wednesday morning when it released its weekly coaches poll.
Carson-Newman clocks in seventh this week after sitting in 11th for the second and third iterations of the coaches poll. It marks the first time Carson-Newman has been ranked in the top 10 in the country since 2008. The Eagles closed out that year with a school record for wins and a No. 6 national ranking. That's the highest Carson-Newman has ever been ranked in NCAA history. C-N was ranked fourth in 1992 while the Eagles were still NAIA members.
The Eagles have attained their ranking by playing the third-hardest schedule in the South Atlantic Conference. The Eagles have a doubleheader sweep to open the year over then No. 13 Young Harris.
The Mountain Lions fell out of this week's rankings. However, South Atlantic Conference foes Wingate and Newberry both climbed in. The Bulldogs are ranked 21st, the Wolves 25th. Lenoir-Rhyne is receiving votes in this week's poll.
At 13-0, the Eagles are off to their third-best start in program history. The 1994 team started 19-0, while the 1993 team ran through the regular season unbeaten, 24-0, before falling to Elon in the SAC tournament for the best start in program history.
The Eagles are the only unbeaten team in the national rankings. They have the most wins in the country without a loss to start this season.
Carson-Newman is off for spring break. The Eagles return to action March 16 at Queens.