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NEW ORLEANS, La. – Entering this week’s NCAA East Preliminary Round, the Virginia Tech men’s track & field team is ranked No. 16 nationally, the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) announced Monday in its week eight outdoor computer rankings. The Hokies moved up one spot from last week's rankings and have been tabbed No. 16 in three out of the last four weekly USTFCCCA rankings.

37 Hokies, 24 men and 13 women, will represent Tech at the NCAA East Preliminary Round this Thursday-Saturday, May 24-26 at Hodges Stadium in Jacksonville, Fla. North Florida is serving as the host institution. The top-48 declared student-athletes in each individual event and the top-24 declared relays qualified for the East and West preliminary meets. The West Preliminary Round is at the University of Texas. The top-12 student-athletes and relays from each region then advance to the NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championship at Drake in Des Moines, Iowa, from June 6-9. In the combined events, the top-24 declared student-athletes advanced directly to the NCAA Championship at Drake.

Tech’s 28 total men's entries, which includes individuals in multiple events and relays, ranks tied for second at the East Preliminary Meet. The Hokie men have multiple entries in the 1500 meters (4), pole vault (4), 200 meters (3), 100 meters (2), 800 meters (2), 5000 meters (2) and hammer throw (2). The Tech women have multiple entries in the pole vault (3) and 200 meters (2). Tech also qualified both the men’s and women’s 4x100 meter relays.

Fans can get all the information for the NCAA East Preliminary Round at the meet website.

For updates on Virginia Tech track & field, follow the Hokies on Twitter (@VT_Track).