2017 NCAA DIII Women’s Outdoor Team Rankings – Preseason

NOTE: Only USTFCCCA member programs are eligible for rankings. Please check your membership status HERE.

NEW ORLEANS – Does success carry from season to season?

Well, the NCAA Division III Women’s Outdoor Track & Field National Team Computer Rankings sure think so.

The U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) released the preseason rankings on Tuesday and Washington (Mo.) is slotted as the favorites to win the team title come May in Geneva, Ohio. The Bears won the indoor crown earlier this month.

For those uninitiated, the National Team Computer Rankings are compiled by a mathematical formula based on the NCAA Division III Descending Order Lists. Marks from previous seasons are included until enough data can be drawn from the current season and current freshmen aren’t included in the rankings until they compete in an outdoor meet. The purpose and methodology of the rankings is to create an index that showcases the teams that have the best potential of achieving the top spots in the race for a national title. Ranking points don’t equate with points that will be scored at the NCAA Division III Outdoor Track & Field Championships.

WashU is the only team in the preseason to compile more than 150 points. The Bears totaled 177.20 points thanks to the projected efforts of Kelli Hancock (400H), Allison Lindsay (steeple), Daisy Ogede (100/200), Rebecca Ridderhoff (400H) and Annalise Wagner (800). Each of those five women is expected to place in the top-3 of their respective events at the end of May at the 2017 NCAA Division III Outdoor Track & Field Championships.

Claremont-Mudd-Scripps settled in behind WashU and equaled its best ranking in program history (The Athenas had been ranked 2nd four times before). Tyra Abraham (100/200) and versatile thrower Vaiva Palunas (discus throw/hammer throw/shot put) are both expected to notch some fast times and big marks this season.

UW-La Crosse is ranked 3rd behind WashU and CMS. The Eagles were ranked No. 1 in the preseason for each of the past three years, but fell two spots in 2017. UW-La Crosse has a strong 4×100 team (2nd) and is hoping to see Kaitlyn McDaniel score 6 or more points in the 10000 at the NCAA meet.

MIT starts the season ranked 4th and can thank Maryann Gong for the billing. Gong is ranked in the top-5 of three events – the 10000 (2nd), 5000 (4th) and 1500 (4th) – and should score at the NCAA meet no matter what event she enters.

Williams vaulted 69 spots from the end of the 2016 outdoor season to the start of 2017. The Ephs come in at No. 5 and should see big performances this season from Anna Harleen in the 1500 and Hannah Cole in the steeplechase.

Defending outdoor champ Illinois Wesleyan tumbled from the top of the podium to No. 7 in the preseason rankings.

Ithaca, the indoor runner-up in 2017, comes in at No. 8 and will be led by distance standout Taryn Cordani and pole vaulter Katherine Pitman.

Three teams ended the 2016 outdoor season tied with Williams or ranked lower than it and made impressive jumps as well. Carthage went from No. 79 to No. 19. St. Norbert went from No. 74 to No. 20. Redlands went from No. 84 to No. 24.

Be sure to check back in throughout the season as we bring you updated rankings and more about the 2017 NCAA Division III Outdoor Track & Field season.