Ashland Men & Women Closing in on Top Spot in NCAA Div II Indoor T&F National Rankings

NEW ORLEANS – Minnesota State‘s men and Central Missouri‘s women remained atop the second regular season edition of the NCAA Division II National Team Computer Rankings released Tuesday by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA), but the rest of the country is in hot pursuit.

Unlike in Divisions I and III, Division II’s rankings are based only on results from the 2014-15 season, meaning that the teams at the top of the rankings are those that have performed the best to this point in the season. The methodology of the rankings is explained here.

Both Minnesota State’s and Central Missouri’s grips on the nation’s top spots slipped over the past weekend to the point that both were nearly dethroned.

Despite a collegiate-leading high jump performance from Erika Kinsey, Central Missouri (149.82 rankings points) fell to just hundredths of a point ahead of No. 2 Ashland (149.74). Making a significant move in the other direction was No. 3 Simon Fraser, which improved its rankings score by 62.11 points to arrive at 117.55 and a 12-spot increase in the rankings.

Leading the way for the Clan was the distance trio of top-ranked 800 runner Lindsey Butterworth, No. 3 miler Jennifer Johnson and the No. 1 DMR.

Grand Valley State moved up three spots to No. 4, while Lewis was displaced two spots from a week ago to No. 5.

NCAA Division II National Coaches’ Poll Top 5 – Men 1) 2) 3) 4) 5) Minnesota St. Ashland Findlay Colorado Mines Grand Valley St. View Complete Men’s National Coaches’ Poll   NCAA Division II National Coaches’ Poll Top 5 – Women 1) 2) 3) 4) 5) Central Missouri Ashland Simon Fraser Grand Valley St. Lewis View Complete Women’s National Coaches’ Poll

Also making a notable move in the women’s rankings was defending indoor national champion Adams State, which moved up 12 positions to No. 8.

The rankings real estate between the No. 1 Minnesota State men and No. 2 Ashland isn’t quite as tight, but it’s getting less comfortable for the Mavericks. Despite a DII-leading 7.74 in the 60-meter hurdles from Myles Hunter, the Mavericks lost 11 points from their rankings score to check in at 144.18, less than six points clear of a surging Ashland team. The Eagles moved up and overtook GLIAC rival Findlay for the second spot behind a DII-leading 800 run from defending champ Drew Windle.

Colorado Mines and Grand Valley State swapped spots at No. 4 and No. 5, respectively, to round out the top five.

Lurking just outside the top five is No. 6 Saint Augustine’s, the two-time defending national champion. Making its first top-25 appearance of the season is No. 21 Adams State, last year’s national runner-up.