2017 NCAA DIII Women’s Outdoor Team Rankings – Week 8

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

NEW ORLEANS – It’s time to find out if Washington (Mo.) can run the table in NCAA Division III Women’s Outdoor Track & Field.

There has been no doubt that the Bears have been the team to beat in NCAA DIII, according to the National Team Computer Rankings. After all, WashU has been No. 1 since the preseason and once again comes in at No. 1 in the Pre-Championship Edition released Monday by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA).

The Bears nabbed 12 entries to the 2017 NCAA Division III Outdoor Track & Field Championships this weekend with six of them coming in the sprints and hurdles discipline. WashU has five entries ranked in the top-3 nationally as Rebecca Ridderhoff (400 hurdles) and the 4×400 relay team hold down No. 1 spots, while Daisy Ogede (200 meters), Alison Lindsay (steeplechase) and Kelli Hancock (400 hurdles) are all 3rd in their respective events.

The toughest competition for the Bears this weekend – according to the latest rankings – will be SUNY Geneseo. The Knights went from 6th to 2nd this week and four of their 12 NCAA entries are among the top-3 nationally. SUNY Geneseo has a dynamic 1-2 punch in the horizontal jumps with Camille Wutz (1st, long jump) and Alexa Wandy (1st triple jump, 2nd long jump).

Don’t overlook 3rd-ranked Claremont-Mudd-Scripps either, as it brings three NCAA entries ranked in the top-3. The Athenas have a total of 11 entries and will be led by Tyra Abraham and Bryn McKillop on the track and Vaiva Palunas in the field.

Even though 4th-ranked Ithaca only has 8 NCAA entries, the team is strong. The Bombers are paced by junior distance double threat Taryn Cordani on the track (5000/10000) and the duo of Katherine Pitman (NCAA DIII record holder in the pole vault) and Brandy Smith (discus throw) in the field.

Rounding out the top-5 is Nebraska Wesleyan and its eight NCAA entries as well.

You have to look one spot further to find the team with the most NCAA entries of any women’s team in 2017. That’s Williams. The Ephs nabbed 15 bids to Geneva, Ohio, and they have two who are ranked in the top-3 nationally (Helene Hall in the high jump and Chloe Rogers in the triple jump – both 3rd).

There are two others teams who haven’t been mentioned yet but have double-digit entries to NCAAs – MIT and Wartburg. The Engineers hauled in 12 and are ranked 15th this week, while the Knights are ranked 13th and bring 11 entries with them.

Big jumps in the rankings were made by Aurora (No. 17 to a program-record No. 8), Ohio Northern (No. 11 to No. 9), Redlands (No. 21 to No. 10 – it’s highest ranking since 2010 when it was 8th) and Emory (No. 13 to No. 11).

Be sure to check back in later this week as we bring you an individual preview of the 2017 NCAA Division III Outdoor Track & Field Championships.