The Hilltoppers ranked Top 25 for the first time in program history
BOWLING GREEN, Ky. - For the first time in program history the WKU men's outdoor track and field team is nationally ranked as it debuted at No. 25 in the preseason U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) poll, which was released on Tuesday by the organization.
The Hilltoppers are coming off a 2015 Conference USA Indoor Championship and return four First Team All-Americans from last year's outdoor squad that finished 18that the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships. Head coach Erik Jenkinsguided WKU to its previous highest ranking in program history at No. 26 in 2014, but the Top 25 ranking is a first for the men's program. The Lady Toppers reached as high as No. 23 in the national polls during the 2014 outdoor season.
WKU and Houston are the only two non-Power Five programs ranked Top 25 in the preseason poll. The Hilltoppers garnered 63.57 points in the computer-compiled rankings, which was nearly eight more than any Conference USA program. The next-highest ranked league team was Middle Tennessee at No. 37 while UTEP comes in at No. 43.
"It's a great honor, said Jenkins. "We've had track and field for quite some time and to be ranked Top 25 among the nation's best, it's an outstanding honor. I'm happy people recognize what we're doing at WKU."
All-American sprinters Tomas Guerra, a junior, also returns for the Hilltoppers. The All-American quartet led WKU to an 18th place finish at last year's NCAA Championships, which was the highest postseason finish for any WKU athletic program since men's basketball advanced to the Sweet 16 in 2008.
This post was edited on 3/25 5:05 PM by nashvillegoldenflash
Division I Outdoor Track & Field Computer Rankings
BOWLING GREEN, Ky. - For the first time in program history the WKU men's outdoor track and field team is nationally ranked as it debuted at No. 25 in the preseason U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) poll, which was released on Tuesday by the organization.
The Hilltoppers are coming off a 2015 Conference USA Indoor Championship and return four First Team All-Americans from last year's outdoor squad that finished 18that the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships. Head coach Erik Jenkinsguided WKU to its previous highest ranking in program history at No. 26 in 2014, but the Top 25 ranking is a first for the men's program. The Lady Toppers reached as high as No. 23 in the national polls during the 2014 outdoor season.
WKU and Houston are the only two non-Power Five programs ranked Top 25 in the preseason poll. The Hilltoppers garnered 63.57 points in the computer-compiled rankings, which was nearly eight more than any Conference USA program. The next-highest ranked league team was Middle Tennessee at No. 37 while UTEP comes in at No. 43.
"It's a great honor, said Jenkins. "We've had track and field for quite some time and to be ranked Top 25 among the nation's best, it's an outstanding honor. I'm happy people recognize what we're doing at WKU."
All-American sprinters Tomas Guerra, a junior, also returns for the Hilltoppers. The All-American quartet led WKU to an 18th place finish at last year's NCAA Championships, which was the highest postseason finish for any WKU athletic program since men's basketball advanced to the Sweet 16 in 2008.
This post was edited on 3/25 5:05 PM by nashvillegoldenflash
Division I Outdoor Track & Field Computer Rankings
