Oregon Takes Back No. 1 Ranking in Men’s Division I Track and Field

NEW ORLEANS – After losing ground to the Florida Gators the past two weeks, the Oregon Ducks have reclaimed the top spot in the men’s U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association Division I rankings, released on Wednesday.

Oregon, which broke the Collegiate Record in the 4xMile Relay over the weekend, picked up some big points from Ashton Eaton as he won the Pac-10 Championship in the decathlon. Eaton’s decathlon score of 8,091 gave the Ducks 36.13 points towards their overall team total of 278.52 points.

Dropping one spot in the rankings this week is Florida, which hosts stiff competition this weekend for the SEC Championships. Seven teams in the SEC are currently ranked in the USTFCCCA men’s top 25.

Coming in at No. 3 this week is the Florida State Seminoles.  After dropping to 11th in last week’s rankings, the Seminoles roared back this week on the heels of long jumper Brian Chibudu. The sophomore took over the national lead in the long jump leaping 26’5”. FSU also received a boost from quarter-milers Jonathan and Kevin Borlee who have moved up to fourth and sixth respectively on the NCAA 400 meter list.

Rounding out the top ten for the men is Texas A&M, Nebraska, Arizona State, South Carolina, Arkansas, Texas and Stanford. The Cardinal improved three spots this week to crack into the top ten for the first time this outdoor season.

Other teams of note were No. 20 Georgia which also improved three spots in the rankings to move back into the top 20. No. 24 Missouri moved back into the top 25 this week after a three week hiatus, improving three spots from last week.

The NCAA Division I outdoor track and field rankings are compiled by Tom Lewis.

The 2009 NCAA Division I Outdoor Track and Field Championships will be held June 10-13 in Fayetteville, Arkansas.

Texas A&M is this week’s top ranked women’s team.

USTFCCCA Division I men’s outdoor track and field rankings
May 13, 2009