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

Complete USTFCCCA Top 25 Rankings

May 4, 2011-- The United States Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association released its week five National Team Computer Rankings for the outdoor season on Wednesday with the North Central College men's track & field team remaining the nation's second ranked squad for the third straight week.

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 amassed 152.89 points in the fifth installment of the rankings for the No. 2 ranking. McMurry University (Texas) maintains its position as the nation's No. 1 team, securing 221.17 points. The University of La Verne (Calif.) climbs up four spots to third with 107.93 points while the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse (105.29) and the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh (102.81) round out the top five.

North Central had its athletes competing in three different meets over the weekend, the 102nd Annual Drake Relays in Des Moines, Iowa, the Gina Relays in Hillsdale, Mich. and the Benedictine University Twilight Invitational in nearby Lisle, Ill. Two automatic qualifying marks were achieved along with five provisional qualifying efforts. Highlighting the weekend was the 4x400-meter relay squad of Jonathan Caron, Randal Ellison, Jon Howard and Daniel Benton establishing a new school record in the event in route to a fourth place finish in the College Division at the Drake Relays, clocking a 3:10.66.

The Cardinals return to action on Friday where they will look to secure their 33rd CCIW Outdoor Championship in Rock Island, Ill.