Jan. 13, 2004

COLUMBIA, S.C. – South Carolina’s men’s and women’s track and field teams are each ranked 10th in Trackwire’s first team poll of the 2004 season. Both the men’s and women’s rankings are led by SEC schools.

Arkansas is No. 1 in the men’s poll, followed by Stanford, Auburn, Texas and LSU. USC holds the 10th spot and is the fifth SEC school in the men’s top-ten. LSU tops the women’s poll, followed by Texas and Florida at No. 2, Stanford and UCLA. Ranked No. 10, USC is the fourth SEC school among the women’s top-ten.

Trackwire’s poll began in 1997 and is considered the most widely respected ranking in collegiate track and field.

The Gamecocks began their indoor season last Saturday at the Carolina Big 12 Meet in Chapel Hill, N.C. Erica Whipple, William Emase, Rodney Martin, Jr., and Chris Steddum all earned wins for USC.

Carolina resumes competition this weekend at the Kentucky Invitational in Lexington, Ky. The two-day meet begins Friday, Jan. 16, with events wrapping up the following day.