Contact: Clark Teuscher, Sports Information Director, 630-637-5302

USTFCCCA Week 6 Outdoor Top 25 Rankings

May 15, 2018 - Though what was a nearly 40-point lead last week has been more than cut in half, the North Central College men's track and field program owns the No. 1 spot in the United States Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) NCAA Division III Outdoor Top 25 Rankings for an eighth straight week and the 16th time in its history. The most recent edition of the rankings was released Tuesday.

The computer rankings were first introduced during the 2011 season. Mathematical formulae based on current national descending-order lists in all events are used to compile a team's ranking. The purpose of the rankings is to create an index that showcases the teams that have the best potential of achieving the top spots at the NCAA Division III National Championships. 

The Cardinals accumulated 177.88 points in this week's rankings, nearly 11 points ahead of the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse (167.78), which gained more than 20 points since last week. North Central's Dhruvil Patel continues to own Division III's fastest time this season in the 5,000-meter run (13:58.27), while three-time defending outdoor national champion Luke Winder remains the nation's leader in the pole vault after bettering his Division III all-time outdoor best with a clearance of 18 feet, 4.50 inches in last week's Dr. Keeler Invitational at Jay & Dot Buikema Track.

Rowan University (New Jersey) remains third this week, followed by the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater and Augustana College.

North Central hosts the Gregory Invitational Wednesday and Thursday.