Willamette Moves Up in National Track and Field Rankings

By Robert McKinney, Athletics Communications Director, (503) 370-6110

SALEM, ORE. -- Willamette University's track and field teams both moved up this week in the latest NCAA Division III Team Computer Rankings released by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) on Wednesday, April 20. The Willamette men's team advanced one position to #21 this week, while the Bearcat women's team jumped six spots to #19.

McMurry University (Texas) remained at the top of the men's rankings with 232.55 points in the rankings. North Central College (Ill.) leaped five spots from #7 up to #2 and now has 149.96 points.

The University of Wisconsin-La Crosse improved by one place to take over at #3 with 125.43 points. Central College (Iowa) slipped two spots and is #4 this week at 122.81. Close behind at #5 is the University of La Verne (Calif.) at 121.63. La Verne also dropped two positions.

In the women's rankings, Wartburg College (Iowa) continued to hold the top spot with 222.65 points, while the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh stayed at #2 at cut the margin between first and second from 44.59 points to just 2.07.

Claremont-Mudd-Scripps (Calif.) held fast at #3 with 128.43 points. Methodist College (N.C.) remained #4 with 123.37 points. Central (Iowa) advanced two spots and is now #5 with 90.63 points. Willamette rival Whitworth fell one position to #6 at 86.13.

The Willamette track and field teams also are ranked in the West Region. Willamette's men are ranked #4 and the Bearcat women are ranked #6.

Ranked #1 in the West Region men's rankings is Claremont-Mudd-Scripps, which moved up from #2 last week. The University of Redlands fell one spot to #2, while Whitworth held steady at #3.

Claremont-Mudd-Scripps remained #1 in the women's West Region rankings and George Fox University continued at #2. California Lutheran University moved up two positions and is now #3.

Willamette has seven track and field athletes who have achieved seven NCAA provisional qualifying marks and one NCAA automatic qualifying mark this season.

The Bearcats will be in action on Friday, April 22 and Saturday, April 23 at the Northwest Conference Track and Field Championships in McMinnville, Ore. Willamette's women have won nine consecutive NWC titles while the men's team has earned six titles in the past last years.