Wartburg Reclaims Women’s No. 1 Rank in DIII; UW-Oshkosh Men Still on Top

NEW ORLEANS – After a week absent from the No. 1 position, the Wartburg women have reclaimed the top spot in the Division III U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) National Team Computer Rankings, while the UW-Oshkosh men remain on top.

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The defending national champion, Wartburg squeaked past UW-Oshkosh back into the nation’s top spot on the power of shot putter Kayla Hemann’s heave of 47-9 (14.55m), good for second in the division. The Knights added 4.72 net points for a team total of 164.98.

The Titans of UW-Oshkosh remain just behind the Knights with a score of 164.57. The gap between the two teams is just 0.41 points, which is the smallest-ever margin between the No. 1 and 2 teams in the DIII women’s rankings, indoors or outdoors.

No. 3 Illinois Wesleyan (95.08), No. 4 Williams (82.40) and No. 5 UW-Whitewater (up three spots, 73.37) round out the women’s top five.

The men’s race continues to tighten as No. 1 UW-Oshkosh gained 5.25 net points for a total of 171.05, but simultaneously saw its grasp on the top ranking loosen slightly. No. 2 UW-La Crosse picked up 9.07 net points on a pair of top-10 distance performances to pull within six points of the Titans at 165.62.

Defending champion North Central (Ill.) emerged from the weekend as the biggest winner of the top five, having defeated No. 1 UW-Oshkosh, No. 2 UW-La Crosse and No. 4 UW-Whitewater at the "Squig" Converse Invitational. The Cardinals added 9.68 net points for a total of 143.11, primarily on the strength of John Crain posting DIII’s No. 2 5000 meters effort at 14:24.22.

UW-Whitewater checks in at No. 4 (133.74) and St. Thomas remains at No. 5 (120.06).

The National Computer Team Rankings project how a team will finish in a National Championship Meet setting, rather than a triangular or dual. The rankings are compiled from meet data in the 2012-13 season, but also from returners from the 2011-12 to take into account what a roster might look like should all student-athletes perform at their top level.

This will be the last edition of the rankings in w hich preseason data will be a factor.

The next round of computer rankings will be released February 6. The 2013 NCAA Division III Indoor Track & Field Championships will be held March 8-9 in Naperville, Ill.

Biggest Jump (Men): 4 – Haverford
Biggest Jump (Women): 26 – WPI