South Plains Women Move Back to No. 1 in NJCAA DI Rankings

NEW ORLEANS – After a week spent staring up the ladder, the South Plains women rejoined their male counterparts at No. 1 in the NJCAA Division I National Team Computer Rankings and retook the top spot from No. 2 Iowa Central.

Coach Chris Beene’s defending national champion men and women are ranked No. 1 in the latest rankings released Wednesday by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA).

The men’s top twenty remained the same, though with minor reshuffling of the squads. No. 2 Central Arizona, No. 3 Iowa Central, and No. 4 Barton County reprised their rankings from last week; No. 5 Iowa Western, No. 6 Coffeyville, No. 7 Monroe, and No. 10 Western Texas moved up; and Nos. 8 and 9 Mesa and Cloud County moved down.

Monroe was the biggest climber of the week, moving up eight spots. One team joined the men’s top twenty-five: No. 24 Johnson County moved up seven slots.

The Cavaliers also had a good week in the women’s poll, as they were the second biggest mover with their eight-rank leap to No. 17. At the top of the women’s rankings, No. 3 Central Arizona, No. 4 New Mexico, No. 5 Coffeyville, and No. 6 Barton County all stayed in the same spot as a week ago. Behind them, Nos. 7-9 Iowa Western, North Iowa Area, and Western Texas all moved up and passed No. 10 Mesa.

How did South Plains take the top slot from the Tritons? Some of their best athletes set season bests in the 100, 200, 400, 800, steeple, 10k, and pole vault.

One women’s juco team joined the top twenty-five: the No. 24 DuPage Chaparrals.

Seven of the eight top-ranked regional teams held on to their computer crowns. The eighth regional No. 1 team this week was the South Plains women, who moved up from No. 2 to No. 1 in the West.

The NJCAA Division I rankings will be released on Wednesdays between now and outdoor nationals.