NCAA DII Indoor National Rankings Continue to Evolve

NEW ORLEANS – As the 2016 NCAA Division II Indoor Track & Field season continues to unfold, the USTFCCCA National Team Computer Rankings likewise continue to evolve.

NCAA Division II National Team Rankings Top 5 – Men 1) 2) 3) 4) 5) Grand Valley St. Tiffin Colorado Mines Saint Augustine’s Minnesota State View Complete Men’s National Coaches’ Poll   NCAA Division II National Team Rankings Top 5 – Women 1) 2) 3) 4) 5) Lincoln (Mo.) Pittsburg State Grand Valley St. Lewis Alaska Anchorage View Complete Women’s National Coaches’ Poll

The Grand Valley State men and Lincoln (Mo.) women remained atop the most recent edition of the rankings unveiled Tuesday, but nearly every team in line behind did anything but remain steady.

Unlike in NCAA Divisions I and III, the DII rankings do not utilize previous-season marks as part of the formula. Consequently, the DII rankings see more change on a week-to-week basis as teams and athletes gradually begin their seasons in earnest.

Tiffin’s men moved up three spots and came close to overtaking GVSU for the rankings’ top spot, followed closely at No. 3 by Colorado Mines. The cross country national champion Orediggers also improved three spots from the previous week.

Defending outdoor champion Saint Augustine’s fell one spot to No. 4, as did Minnesota State to No. 5. Reigning indoor champion Adams State fell four spots to No. 6.

No. 7 Lincoln (Mo.) moved up one spot, just ahead of top-10 newcomer No. 8 Academy of Art. Behind National Athlete of the Week sprinter Mobolade Ajomale, the Urban Knights improved 12 spots from a week ago.

No. 9 Texas A&M-Kingsville improved six spots from a week ago, while Ashland dropped one to round out the top 10.

For the women, Pittsburg State climbed three positions to No. 2, while No. 3 Grand Valley State held firm. No. 4 Lewis fell two positions, and Alaska Anchorage jumped up eight spots to round out the top five.

No. 6 Johnson C. Smith improved three spots from a week ago, while No. 7 Hillsdale went three spots in the opposite direction. No. 8 Shorter fell two spots, defending indoor and outdoor national champion Central Missouri slid one rung to No. 9, and Saint Augustine’s soared 11 spots skyward to complete the top 10.

Making the biggest move of any top-25 team for either gender was New Mexico Highlands’ women, who rocketed up 51 positions to No. 13 behind combined events queen Salcia Slack.

The No. 22 Western Oregon men catapulted 46 spots over the weekend, just narrowly ahead of No. 24 Texas A&M-Commerce’s 42-spot leap for their gender’s best.