New No. 1 Chomps Its Way To Top Of Women’s NCAA DI Rankings

NEW ORLEANS — It’s incredibly close at the top of the National Team Computer Rankings in NCAA Division I Women’s Indoor Track & Field.

NCAA Division I National Team Rankings Top 5 – Women 1) 2) 3) 4) 5) Florida Oregon Georgia Arkansas Texas 155.67 pts 155.00 pts 154.52 pts 146.27 pts 95.94 pts View Complete Women’s National Coaches’ Poll

In the newest rankings, released Monday by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association, just 1.15 points separate top-ranked Florida (155.67), second-ranked Oregon (155.00) and third-ranked Georgia (154.52) after marks from the previous campaign were thrown out and the 2016 season stands on its own.

Defending national champion Arkansas, which had been No. 1 since the rankings debuted, fell to No. 4.

Who’s No. 1 in the Men’s National Team Computer Rankings?

Points in the National Team Computer Rankings are compiled by a mathematical formula based on the national descending order list. The higher an athlete sits on the list, the more points he/she provides their team. Rankings points, however don’t equate with NCAA Championships team points.

If you want to learn more about the National Team Computer Rankings, a full description can be found here.

The National Team Computer Rankings shouldn’t be referred to as a “poll,” as no voting occurs during the process.

Even though the Gators and Ducks had taken residence in the top-5 the entire season, big performances this past weekend shot them ahead of the Razorbacks and Bulldogs. Florida ran the gauntlet at the Tyson Invitational, while Oregon tried its hand at the Don Kirby Elite and the Husky Classic.

For the Gators, it was Yanis David, Robin Reynolds and Claudia Francis, who made the biggest impact. David, a freshman, soared 13.50m (44-3.5) in the triple jump and is now No. 2 in the event behind Georgia’s Kenturah Orji. Both Reynolds (52.27) and Francis (52.39) joined teammate and Bowerman Watch List member Kyra Jefferson in the top-5 of the 400.

The Ducks split their squad and found success in both New Mexico and Washington.

At the Don Kirby Elite, Hannah Cunliffe moved into the top-3 of the 60 with a time of 7.20. Sasha Wallace (7.96) and Alaysha Johnson (8.12) fared well in the 60 hurdles as they placed first and third, but more importantly are second and fifth nationally.

On the oversized track in Seattle, Oregon’s Annie Leblanc (2:03.84) and Brooke Feldmeier (2:03.99) went 1-2 in the 800. They are now sixth and seventh nationally, respectively, and will most likely be joined in the top-10 by teammate and Bowerman Watch List member Raevyn Rogers following her run at the Millrose Games this weekend.

Despite falling from first to fourth in the National Team Computer Rankings, Arkansas had quite the weekend. Freshman Alexis Weeks became just the fifth member of the 15-foot club in the pole vault — cementing her spot atop the list in the event — and senior Taylor Ellis-Watson is now second nationally in the 400 (52.18).

Elsewhere in the top-10, Tennessee jumped seven spots from No. 14 to No. 7 and earned its best ranking since 2012. Felicia Brown (No. 2 in the 200) and Chelsea Blaase (No. 3 in the 5000) both starred this past weekend to aid that leap.

Speaking of big improvements, Oklahoma State landed at No. 12 — up 10 spots from the previous week. That is the Cowgirls’ top billing in program history, edging their 13th rank from Week 1 last season.

Washington, Boise State and Auburn all vaulted into the top-25 this week. Coincidentally, vaulters Dimara Planell Cruz and Elizabeth Quick helped the Huskies move from No. 33 to No. 14. The Broncos continue to see freshman phenom Allie Ostrander impress (first in 3000, 5000) and the Tigers clawed their way up 24 spots (No. 49 to No. 25).

Conference championships start this weekend and the NCAA Division I Indoor Track & Field Championships, held this year at the Birmingham CrossPlex, are just 24 days away.