REVISED: Defending DII Champ Saint Augustine’s Men Reclaim No. 1

NOTE: The week six edition of the USTFCCCA National Team Computer Rankings for NCAA Division II have been updated to reflect several meets that erroneously did not factor into the original rankings. Consequent changes to the original release have been underlined.

NEW ORLEANS – It was a Saint Augustine’s takeover in the sixth edition of the NCAA Division II Outdoor Track & Field National Team Computer Rankings, released Tuesday by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA).

NCAA Division II National Team Rankings Top 5 – Men 1) 2) 3) 4) 5) Saint Augustine’s Minnesota St. TAMU-Commerce Ashland Grand Valley St. View Complete Men’s National Coaches’ Poll   NCAA Division II National Team Rankings Top 5 – Women 1) 2) 3) 4) 5) Central Missouri Saint Augustine’s Grand Valley St. NM Highlands Pittsburg St. View Complete Women’s National Coaches’ Poll

The two-time defending national champion Falcon men reclaimed the No. 1 position they last held two weeks ago, while the SAU women flew up four spots to No. 2, just behind top-ranked Central Missouri.

With just over a month remaining until the NCAA Division II Championships in Allendale, Michigan, on May 21-23, the rankings continue to ebb and flow with each passing week; of the combined 20 teams in the men’s and women’s top 10s, 18 checked in at a different position than a week ago.

Case in point: only Saint Augustine’s and Ashland – the former men’s No. 1 which dropped down to No. 4 this week – remained part of the top five from last time; Pittsburg State fell from No. 3 to No. 11, Adams State from No. 4 to No. 6, and Angelo State from No. 5 to No. 10.

Assuming their positions and reprising former top-five ranks of their own were No. 2 Minnesota State, No. 3 Texas A&M-Commerce, and No. 5 Grand Valley State.

For Saint Augustine’s – which saw the rankings’ second-biggest improvement of 44.09 points to a 179.57 team rankings score – was boosted to the top, as usual, by its corps of dynamic short sprinters. Omar Johnson ran a DII-leading 45.78 and was joined in the top five by teammates Burkheart Ellis, Jr., at No. 3 and Khari Herbert at No. 5.

Ellis, Jr., also posted the No. 2 time at 200 meters, followed by No. 5 Daniel Jameison and No. 6 Johnson.

Those performances put the Falcons more than 40 points ahead of the group of teams from No. 2 Minnesota State through No. 8 Findlay that are all themselves separated by fewer than 20 points.

As has been the case of late, movement in the women’s top five was more subdued – but teams are starting to creep up on indoor champ Central Missouri. The Jennies checked in at 171.10 points – down about five points despite Heavin Warner’s NCAA Division II record in the hammer throw.

Just one week ago, only one team was within 30 points of UCM; this week, both Saint Augustine’s (150.91) and cross country champion Grand Valley State (147.56) are within 25 points, with No. 4 New Mexico Highlands, which dropped two spots this week, still very much in the hunt at 131.07.

Rounding out the top five was Pittsburg State (112.69) following a three-position jump.

Like their men’s teammates, the women of Saint Augustine’s moved up the rankings behind the power of their sprinters and hurdlers. Samantha Woodburn had herself a weekend at the CIAA Championships, moving up to No. 3 at 200 meters, No. 6 at 400 meters and running a leg of the No. 1 4×100 relay.

Also contributing big points for the Falcons were No. 6 Ornella Livingston at 200 meters, No. 6 Shakinah Brooks in the long jump, and No. 7 Shamia Lassiter in the 100-meter hurdles.

Three women’s teams made double-digit improvements in the rankings. No. 13 Winston-Salem State jumped up 12, No. 18 Johnson C. Smith leapt a week-best 18 positions, and No. 23 Western Washington improved 14 spots.

Only one more men’s teams climbed 10-or-more spots, as No. 2 Minnesota State rose 13 notches from a week ago.

At the regional level, the eight regions saw a combined two new men’s No. 1 teams and three new top-ranked women’s squads.

Southern Connecticut’s men climbed to No. 1 in the East, while Shorter took command of the South.

For the women, Saint Augustine’s moved to No. 1 in the Atlantic, as did Southern Connecticut in the East and West Texas A&M in the South Central.