FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Mark Albanese, Assistant Sports Information Director, 630-637-5324

USTFCCCA Top 25 Rankings

Jan. 25, 2012-- The United States Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association released its first NCAA Division III National Team Computer Rankings of the regular season on Wednesday, with the North Central College men's track & field team remaining the nation's top-ranked squad.

The two-time defending indoor national champion Cardinals amassed 192.73 points in the week one rankings, increasing their point total by almost 15 points since the initial preseason poll. The University of Wisconsin-La Crosse (150) and the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh (123.04) continue to occupy the No. 2 and No. 2 positions while McMurry University (Texas) climbs up one spot to fourth with 79.29 points with the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater (77.88) rounding out the top five.

The computer rankings were first introduced during the 2011 season. Mathematical formulae based on current national descending-order lists in all events are used to compile a team's ranking. The purpose of the rankings is to create an index that showcases the teams that have the best potential of achieving the top spots at the NCAA Division III National Championships.

North Central hosted the Cardinal Opener last Friday at the Al B. Carius Track, capturing the team title at the four-team meet after winning 11 of the 16 events contested. The Cardinals racked up 347 points in the standings while runner-up and third-ranked UW-Oshkosh tallied 125 points.

The top-ranked Cardinals return to the track on Saturday, hosting the NCC Quadrangular with events getting underway at 12 p.m.