The Team Power Ranking is a unique system of ranking teams on the basis of quality of athletic performance, team depth, and dual meet scoring potential. Points are assigned for two athletes in each event contested in a dual meet and points assigned on the basis of quality of performance. The points for all events are then totaled for the ranking score.
* Mens rankings overview:
Arizona State claims the top spot this week (377.67 points) after many fine performances so far this season. The Sun Devils sport two athletes nationally ranked in the top five in the 200 and 400 meters along with third in the 4x100 and 4x400 meter relays.
Tennessee is currently ranked second (373.96) after displaying improvement on their home track at the Sea Ray Relays last week. Tennessee has won the USTCA Team Power Ranking title nine times since 1991, most recently the 2003 outdoor season.
Florida is holding strong at third (371.73) as the Gators have proven to be a force all season long which included claiming the 2004 SEC Indoor Championship title.
Rounding out the top ten includes Brigham Young (4th, 359.89), Louisiana State (5th, 357.45), Georgia (6th, 346.39), UCLA (7th, 344.19), Mississippi State (8th, 340.41), Iowa State (9th, 338.02) and Nebraska (10th, 335.3).
* Women’s rankings overview:
South Carolina takes the top spot this week (392.44 points) after moving up thanks to outstanding performances in the 400 meter hurdles by national leader Lashinda Demus and in the 4x400 meter relay which is ranked second. South Carolina looks to capture their second team title in three years after winning the crown at the 2002 NCAA Outdoor Championships.
Nebraska enters in at second (382.50) while depth has been improved by Becky Breisch who is the national leader in the discus and third in the shot put. Freshman Jenny Green has been consistent with her fourth best performance nationally in the pole vault.
UCLA enters in at third (377.35) after big performances at the Rafer Johnson/Jackie Joyner-Kersee Invitational. Led by colleigate record holder and national leader Chelsea Johnson in the pole vault, the Bruins also support top five national marks in many other events.
Rounding out the top ten includes Brigham Young (4th, 351.19), Louisiana State (5th, 350.67), Kansas State (6th, 344.87), California (7th, 343.55), Georgia (8th, 338.93), San Diego State (9th, 338.57) and Miami, Florida (10th, 338.15).
For the complete list of schools and more information on the United States Track Coaches Association Team Power Rankings, visit their website at www.team-power.org.
----------------- Tom Borish USTCA Publicist - www.ustrackcoaches.org Webmaster - www.trackshark.com AOL IM - tracksharkweb
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