Men?s And Women?s Track And Field Ranked In Top 20
STARKVILLE, Miss. – After a standout performance this weekend at the Florida Relays, both the men’s and women’s track and field teams are ranked in the Top 20 of the U.S. Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association.
The men’s team is ranked No. 18 while the women landed at No. 20.
“Both teams have already improved so much this season,” MSU coach Steve Dudley said. “We hope to continue to take these programs at MSU to the next level. All of the athletes on the teams are a huge contributor to where this program is today.”
This past weekend four MSU athletes set school records, including Marcus Jackson, who recorded a clearance of 7-05.75 in the high jump to finish first. Jackson’s jump is currently the nation’s second-best height.
For the third time this season, Scottie Hearn finished first in the 400m hurdles at the Florida Relays with a personal-best time of 49.68.
The MSU discus school record was also broken this weekend by Tautvydas Kieras. With a throw of 190-04, Kieras finished fourth overall. His throw ranks as the 16th best nationally so far this season.
With a time of 4:11.67, sophomore Rhianwedd Price also brought home a first place finish in the 1500m run. This is the second best time in MSU school history and the nation’s best time in the event so far this year.
Cornelia Griesche competed in the 3000m steeplechase and finished first after running a time of 10:04.03. Her time holds the fourth best in the nation this season. Griesche also holds the MSU school record with a time of 10:00.58, which she set during the 2014 season.
Also having a successful season for the Maroon and White is senior Erica Bougard, who set the school record in the high jump this weekend with a clearance of 5-11.50, which ranks sixth nationally. She also holds the nation’s 13th best showing in the long jump with a leap of 20-03.50, which also came at the Florida Relays.
There are 10 schools from the SEC ranked in the men and women’s Top 25. Texas A&M is currently ranked No. 1 in both polls.
The Bulldogs look to improve on their rankings this weekend as MSU is set to host the Border Clash. The one day event is set for this Friday, April 10.
For more information on the MSU track and field teams visit HailState.com or follow on Twitter (@HailState.com).
Men’s Top 25
1. Texas A&M
2. Florida
3. Oregon
4. LSU
5. Southern California
6. Texas
7. Arkansas
8. Alabama
9. Florida State
10. Texas Tech
11. Georgia
12. Baylor
13. Tennessee
14. Penn State
15. Oklahoma State
16. South Carolina
17. Stanford
18. Mississippi State
19. Nebraska
20. Arizona State
21. Virginia
22. UCLA
23. Northern Arizona
24. Kentucky
25. Iowa
Women’s Top 25
1. Texas A&M
2. Florida
3. Arkansas
4. Texas
5. Kentucky
6. Oregon
7. Southern California
8. Georgia
9. Baylor
10. Florida State
11. Stanford
12. Kansas State
13. Oklahoma State
14. Texas Tech
15. LSU
16. Clemson
17. Missouri
18. Alabama
19. UCLA
20. Mississippi State
21. Virginia Tech
22. NC State
23. Michigan
24. Boise State
25. Auburn