KEVIN JENISON
GoSycamores.com
TERRE HAUTE, Ind. – The Indiana State women's track & field team moved up two spots while the men remained unchanged in this week's U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) national computer rankings.
The Sycamore women, backed by season best performances at the Auburn Tiger Track Classic last weekend, moved up to 52nd in the rankings released Tuesday with the men remaining 63rd in the nation.
Illinois State remained the top school in the national women's rankings from the Missouri Conference with the Redbirds dropping one to 29th. Wichita State is unchanged at 36th followed by the Sycamores at 52nd. Southern Illinois moved up 14 to 75th with Missouri State unchanged at 79th, Northern Iowa up one to 109th, and Drake down seventh to 165th.
Indiana State is the highest ranked women's team from the state of Indiana and is the only school to move up in the national rankings. Notre Dame dropped four spots to 53rd with Indiana down one to 65th, Purdue down seven to 99th, and Butler down 10 to 138th.
The Redbirds are also the highest ranking Missouri Valley Conference team in the men's national rankings despite dropping four spots to 47th. Southern Illinois fell one to 61st followed by Indiana State who remained 63rd in the rankings. Northern Iowa was up two to 93rd with Wichita State up seven to 108th.
Indiana is the highest ranked men's team from the state of Indiana as they remained in the top 25 but dropped one spot to 18th. Indiana State is second at 63rd while Notre Dame stayed at 73rd, Purdue moved up 20 spots to 74th, and Butler jumped 50 spots to 141st.
GREAT LAKES REGION RANKINGS
The second week of the region rankings were also released Tuesday by the USTFCCCA with the Sycamore women moving up to fifth and the men ranked ninth in the Great Lakes Region.
Michigan moved to the top spot in the women's regional rankings with last week's top team, Notre Dame, falling to second. Michigan is third followed by Akron and Indiana State in the top five. Ohio State is sixth with the Buckeyes followed by Kent State, Cincinnati, Purdue, and Indiana.
There was a change in the top spot in the men's rankings as well with Ohio State moving up three spots to become the new leader. Akron was the top team a week ago and fell to second followed by Michigan, Purdue and Indiana. The second five features Michigan State, Notre Dame, Wisconsin, Indiana State, and Cincinnati.
WOMEN IN THE RANKINGS
Several members of the Indiana State track & field team are ranked in the top 50 of the nation and/or lead the Missouri Valley Conference after the first full weekend of the outdoor season.
Felisha Johnson ranks third nationally in the shot put (first in the Valley, first in the Great Lakes, and first in the East) with a heave of 56'-10” (17.32m) at the SIU Bill Cornell Spring Classic (March 30). Johnson also ranks 33rd nationally in the discus (third in the Valley, sixth in the Great Lakes and eighth in the East) with a throw of 168'-9” (51.45m) at the SIU Bill Cornell Spring Classic (March 29). The senior also ranks 52nd nationally (fourth in the Valley, sixth in the Great Lakes and 21st in the East) in the hammer throw with a distance of 187'-9” (57.24m) at the SIU Bill Cornell Spring Classic (March 30).
Kimyanna Rudolph posted the second best clearance in the pole vault as she cleared 13'-5.25” (4.10 meters) at the Auburn Tiger Track Classic (Apr. 6). The height moves her to 19th in the nation, first in the Valley, second in the Great Lakes, and seventh in the East.
Stacia Weatherford ranks 2nd nationally in the 400 meter hurdles (first in the Valley, third in the Great Lakes and 1th in the East) with a time of 59.11 seconds at the Auburn Tiger Track Classic (Apr. 6). She is also second in the Valley for the 100 meter hurdles (35th in the East and 63rd nationally) with a time of 13.80 seconds at the Auburn Tiger Track Classic (Apr. 6).
Mary Theisen ranks 35th nationally in the shot put (fourth in the Valley, fifth in the Great Lakes and 15th in the East) with a heave of 51'-0.75” (15.56m) at the Auburn Tiger Track Classic (Apr. 6). She also ranks 37th nationally in the discus (fourth in the Valley, eighth in the Great Lakes and 11th in the East) with a distance of 167'-5” (51.03m) at the Auburn Tiger Track Classic (Apr. 6).
Shelby Higginbottom, Leeann Michl, Stacia Weatherford, and Macey Black combined to run the third fastest 4x400 meter relay in school history with a time of 3:40.31 at the Auburn Tiger Track Classic (Apr. 6). That ranks 39th in the nation, first in the Valley, third in the Great Lakes, and 20th in the East.
Leeann Michl has the top 800 meter time in the Valley (fifth in the Great Lakes, 25th in the East, and 52nd nationally) after running 2:07.91 at the Auburn Tiger Track Classic (Apr. 6).
Demetra Camble leads the Valley in the 100 meters (58th in the East and 116th nationally) after running 11.82 in the event at the Auburn Tiger Track Classic (Apr. 6).
MEN IN THE RANKINGS
Several members of the Indiana State track & field team are ranked in the top 50 of the nation and/or lead the Missouri Valley Conference after the first full weekend of the outdoor season.
Brandon Pounds moved to 11th in the nation for the hammer throw after he threw 213'-5” (65.05m) at the Auburn Tiger Track Classic (Apr. 6). That is second in the Valley, tops in the Great Lakes, and third in the East.
Greggmar Swift ranks 20th nationally in the 110 meter hurdles (first in the Valley, second in the Great Lakes, and 10th in the East) with a time of 13.91 seconds at the Auburn Tiger Track Classic (Apr. 6).
Maurice Lyke moved into 26th nationally for the long jump with a leap of 24'-4.5” (7.43m) at the Auburn Tiger Track Classic (Apr. 6). That leads the Valley, ranks second in the Great Lakes, and 14th in the East.
Max Tuttle posted the 37th best time in the 400 meter hurdles as he ran 52.28 at the Auburn Tiger Track Classic (Apr. 6). That leads the Valley, ranks fifth in the Great Lakes, and 14th in the East.
Jonathan Jackson ranks 43rd nationally in the 400 meter hurdles (second in the Valley, sixth in the Great Lakes, and 17th in the East) with a time of 52.45 seconds at the Auburn Tiger Track Classic (Apr. 6).
John Mascari leads the Valley in the 5,000 meters (69th in the East and 131st nationally) with a time of 14:26.06 at the SIU Bill Cornell Spring Classic (March 30).
Shaun Smith leads the Valley in the 100 meters (sixth in the Great Lakes, 88th in the East, and 162nd nationally) with a time of 10.69 seconds at the Auburn Tiger Track Classic (Apr. 6).
Keith Housley, Greggmar Swift, Justin Baxtron, and Shaun Smith combined for a 40.90 finish in the 4x100 meter relay at the SIU Bill Cornell Spring Classic (March 30) which is the top time in the Valley (fourth in the Great Lakes, 39th in the East, and 72nd nationally).
USTFCCCA Rankings
