FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Clark Teuscher, Sports Information Director, 630-637-5302

Men's and Women's National Rankings

Jan. 26, 2011 - The North Central College men's track and field team is ranked first nationally among all NCAA Division III institutions, according to the first release of National Team Computer Rankings by the United States Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA).

The computer rankings are new for 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.

The Cardinals, who enter this season as the defending Division III indoor and outdoor national champions, compiled 257.98 points in the initial rankings. North Central's total was more than triple the total of the second-ranked University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh, which totaled 82.92. Rounding out the top five are the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater (81.86), Haverford College (74.44) and Bates College (73.99).

North Central is one of three College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin teams in the top 25, joining 21st-ranked Augustana College (35.53) and 23rd-ranked Carthage College (30.14).

North Central finished first at Friday's Cardinal Opener at Al B. Carius Track, while UW-Oshkosh placed second. Carthage and the 11th-ranked University of Chicago were also in the competition.

North Central hosts the Cardinal Quad on Friday. Competition is scheduled to begin at 5 p.m.