The U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) released its second NCAA Division II team rankings of the year on Tuesday and the Lee University Track & Field programs recorded two firsts. The Lady Flames were included in the top 25 and the Flames reached the top 10, marking the first time each program reached that status.
The National Team Computer Rankings are compiled by a mathematical formula based on the NCAA Division II Descending Order Lists. Only marks from the current season are used in the current Computer Rankings. The purpose and methodology of the rankings is to create an index that showcases the teams that have the best potential of achieving the top spots in the race for a national title. Ranking points don't equate with points that will be scored at the NCAA Division II Outdoor Track & Field Championships.
The Lady Flames made their debut in the top 25 at No. 24 after sitting at No. 43 in last week’s ranking.
“I am very excited for our women’s team,” said Lee head coach Caleb Morgan. “They have worked hard to reach this point.”
Angelo State is the top-ranked team with 189.25 points. Lee (46.25) is the highest ranked team from the Gulf South Conference, but are second among teams from the South Region. Nova Southeastern is ranked ninth with 76.20 points.
Adrian Martin is one of five Lady Flames that contributed to the team score. Martin supplied 30.56 points from her performances in the 100 and 200-meter dashes. Her time of 24.24 in the 200-meter dash at Saturday’s Tennessee Rust Buster not only scored 17.39 points, but met the provisional standard and earned her this week’s GSC Women’s Track Performer of the Week designation.
Audrey Smith posted 11.55 points in the 3000-meter steeplechase. Cayce Bryan added 1.75 points in the 800-meter run, Hannah Buttolph recorded 1.20 points in the high jump and Jessica Childers scored 1.19 points in her two events.
The Flames moved up one spot from last week’s ranking to land at No. 10.
“All of our men are performing at a very high level right now,” said Lee head coach Caleb Morgan. “We look to continue the trend the next couple of weeks and hopefully stay inside the top 10.”
Chico State is the top-ranked team with 180.35 points. Lee (79.50) is the second-highest ranked team from the Gulf South Conference and the South Region. Shorter University is ranked No. 4 with 108.61 total points.
Christian Noble is one of four Flames whose performances added to the team score. Noble amassed a total of 24.90 points from the 1500-meter run, 3000-meter steeplechase and 5000-meter run. His winning time of 9:02.34 in the steeplechase at the Raleigh Relays is the second-best time in the event in Division II this season. He also finished third in the 1500-meter run the next day at the Tennessee Rust Buster with a time of 3:55.19. As a result, Noble was named this week’s GSC Men’s Track & Field Freshman of the Week.
Josiah Brooks scored in four different events: 100-meter, 200-meter, long jump and triple jump. He accumulated 27.83 points, including 13.54 from the triple jump and 11 from the 200-meter dash.
Justin Brooks posted 13.27 points in the 400-meter dash and added 2.92 more in the 200-meter dash. Harold Smith supplied 10.59 points for his performances in the 800 and 1500-meter runs.