Hokie men and women move up in USTFCCCA top-25 poll

The women's squad checks in at No. 15, while the men's squad ranks No. 18

April 3, 2017

BLACKSBURG – Following a successful weekend at three prestigious meets, both the Virginia Tech men’s and women’s track and field team moved up several spots in this week’s United States Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) Indoor National Team Computer rankings released on Monday afternoon.

The women’s squad was one of two teams in the top 25 that saw movement of four spots or more, moving up five spots to No. 15 (108.52 points), while the men’s squad jumped three spots to No. 18 (92.92 points).

The Hokie women are one of three Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) teams ranked in the top 25. Florida State continues to lead the pack at No. 10 with 169.17 points. Miami also remains at No. 16 with 107.28 points. Oregon (367.94 points) and Kentucky (280.23 points) still sit pretty in the top two slots, with LSU (271.07), Arkansas (266.89 points) and Florida (244.75 points) bringing up the rear in the top five.

Additionally, the Hokie men are one of four ACC teams ranked in the top 25. Virginia dropped three spots to No. 9, but continues to lead the league with 194.73 points. Syracuse checked in at No. 22 with 85.74 points, also dropping six spots in this week’s rankings. However, Louisville rounded out the top 25, garnering 80.93 points to move up two spots. Nothing changed at the top of the rankings, as Florida still holds the top spot with 298.86 points. Texas A&M jumped two spots from No. 4 to No. 2 with 258.88 points, while Oregon dropped one spot to No. 3 with 252.71 points. Alabama (225.53 points) vaulted four spots and settled in right behind third-ranked Oregon, and Arkansas completed the top five with 217.32 points.

Of note, the national team computer rankings are compiled by a mathematical formula based on the NCAA Division I Descending Order Lists. Marks from previous seasons are included until enough data can be drawn from the current season. Current freshmen will not be included in the rankings until they compete in an outdoor meet.

Most recently, the Hokies competed at the Texas Relays, the Florida Relays and the High Point VertKlasse Meeting from March 31 – April 1. Junior Torben Laidig was the highlight of the weekend, as he cleared the 5.70-meter bar (18 ft., 8.25 in.) in the pole vault event, notching a school and ACC all-time record at the 90th Clyde Littlefield Texas Relays, presented by Spectrum, on April 1. The reigning ACC indoor champion also is ranked No. 1 in the nation.

Looking ahead, the Hokies will divide and conquer yet again, competing at both the Tennessee Relays and the Spec Town Relays on April 7-8.

Fans can follow all the action during each meet of the 2017 outdoor season by following the squad on Twitter and Instagram.

For updates on Virginia Tech track & field, follow the Hokies on Twitter Follow @VT_Track