Ashland Men, Lincoln (Mo.) Women Take Over DII Rankings

NEW ORLEANS – The Ashland men made the big jump up to No. 1 for the first time in program history and the Lincoln (Mo.) women reclaim the top spot in the most recent Division II U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) National Team Computer Rankings released Tuesday.

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Ashland is back on top of the GLIAC after wrangling the team championship away from rival Grand Valley State, and is now on top of the national rankings after a three-spot jump to dethrone Saint Augustine’s. Both Saint Augustine’s and defending outdoor champion Adams State are within seven points of Ashland, setting the stage for an exceptionally intriguing DII championships later this month.

The Lincoln (Mo.) women have been taking turns atop the rankings with Grand Canyon since week two, and it is Lincoln that this week rides a wave of momentum from claiming the MIAA team championship to the top of the rankings.

The National Team Computer Rankings are a projection of how teams could fare at the NCAA Outdoor Championships. An explanation of the rankings system can be found here.

Ashland Perched Atop Close Men’s Race

Ashland is the first men’s team from the GLIAC to claim the top spot in the rankings since they were instituted in 2010. The Eagles gained 30.36 net points to boost their team score to 227.48 — just ahead of Saint Augustine’s, which fell 31.49 net points to 222.79, and Adams State, which sits at 220.92 following a 25.32 net loss. Adams State concludes its RMAC Championship meet today, meaning the rankings could look very different next week.

For Ashland, the driving force to the top was a combination of sprints, hurdles and throws performances that improved upon their existing marks in the event rankings. While mid-distance runner Drew Windle and thrower Garrett Grey expanded upon their national leads over the weekend, the points gain came from other student-athletes who moved up in the national event rankings. Hurdler Elijha Owens moved from 15 to 7 in the 110 hurdles (14.04), while Waquiem Comar made the move from 13 to 6 in the 400 hurdles (51.82). Sprinter Joe Horn moved from No. 8 to No. 4 at 200 meters (20.84), and hammer thrower Zac Ball jumped from No. 7 to No. 4 (204-4/62.29m).

The No. 4 Grand Canyon men slid 24.79 net points to 189.14, displaced a spot by Ashland’s jump to the top, while GLIAC rival Findlay rounded out the top five at 126.22 after a 3.89 net drop.

Lincoln (Mo.) Women Reclaim Top Spot

An MIAA title was just what the Lincoln women needed to boost themselves back to the No. 1 spot in the rankings, a position they’ve held in alternation with Grand Canyon for the past five editions of the rankings. The Blue Tigers increased their team score to 241.51 with a 17.38 net gain.

Strong sprints and jumps performances were behind the Blue Tigers’ move back to the top. Lovan Palmer made the biggest impact on the rankings at 800 meters, jumping from 31st to ninth (2:09.66). Sprinters Donna-Lee Hylton — up from 15 to 8 at 200 meters (23.70) — and Yanique Haye — up from 10 to 6 at 400 meters (53.70) — were important improvements, as was triple jumper Sheri Kaye Campbell’s jump from No. 12 to No. 7 in the triple jump (40-9¾/12.44m)

Grand Canyon slipped to No. 2, but are just eight points back following an 11.34 net drop to 233.50.

Indoor champion Academy of Art stayed steady at No. 3, dropping 5.89 net points to a 207.89 team score.

No. 4 Grand Valley State did not see a conference championship bump in the rankings like Lincoln and Ashland experienced, gaining less than a point for a team score of 203.17.

Adams State completed the top five at 143.99, following a 6.8 net drop. The Grizzlies complete their competition at the RMAC Championships today.

Biggest Jump (Men): 14 – No. 24 Incarnate Word
Biggest Jump (Women): 8 – No. 17 Cal State LA