2017 NCAA DIII Outdoor Men’s Team Rankings – Week 7

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

NEW ORLEANS – By the looks of it, we should see a two-horse race for the men’s team title at the 2017 NCAA Division III Outdoor Track & Field Championships in 9 days.

That’s because UW-La Crosse and Rowan are still No. 1 and No. 2 in the most recent National Team Computer Rankings released Tuesday by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) and they’re well-ahead of the rest of the pack.

Both the Eagles and Profs lost ground on the rest of the top-25, but they’re more than 32 points clear of 3rd-ranked UW-Whitewater. UW-La Crosse currently sits at 144.16 points, while Rowan idles behind the 2017 co-indoor champion with 141.68 points in its pocket.

Benedictine (Ill.) pressed up two spots to No. 4 in the Week 7 rankings following a strong effort by its 4×100 team this past weekend. The Eagles saw the quartet get the baton around in 40.64, which now ranks No. 1 in NCAA DIII this season. That gives Benedictine (Ill.) two top-ranked events as Luther Newburn had been No. 1 in the triple jump since April 25.

Mount Union jumped back into the top-10 for the 2nd time this season (Week 5, 9th) behind the efforts of its relay teams. The Purple Raiders were No. 12 but come in at No. 8 in Week 7 after the 4×400 relay team is now ranked 2nd in the nation (3:12.45) and the 4×100 team is ranked 6th (41.27) following their outing at the BW Harrison Dillard Twilight.

Texas Lutheran remained at No. 13, but strengthened its spot after Marquis Brown’s quarter-mile effort this past weekend. Brown clocked an altitude-converted time of 47.01 to take over the top spot on the NCAA DIII Descending Order List.

UW-Platteville takes up residence at No. 14, its 6th time in the top-15 this season. The Pioneers watched as Ian LaMere clocked the 3rd fastest time in NCAA DIII history over 5000 meters (13:56.76) and added another top rank to his tally (LaMere is also No. 1 at 10000 meters).

Dubuque vaulted 52 spots from Week 6 to Week 7 and comes in at No. 18, which sets a program record. The Spartans received a top-5 mark from both Isaiah Ellis (200, 21.29w) and Alex Link (discus throw, 51.65m/169-5) and increased their point total by 33.34 points.

Two other programs soared in the rankings as well: Ohio Northern went from No. 34 to No. 22, while Nebraska Wesleyan jumped from No. 52 to No. 23. The biggest reason for the Polar Bears’ surge was Kase Schalois’ effort in the steeplechase (5th, 9:05.32) and the Prairie Wolves best effort belonged to Garrett Sellhorst in the triple jump (3rd, 15.14mw/49-8¼).

The final qualifying day for NCAAs is May 18, so we’re going to know who’s going to Geneva, Ohio, before too long. Be sure to check back in throughout the next week as we’ll bring you much more about the 2017 NCAA Division III Outdoor Track & Field Championships set to begin May 25 and run through May 27.