April 15, 2004

The South Carolina women and the Arizona State menhold the top spots in the USTCA Team Power Rankings for NCAA Division I track & field. South Carolina is ranked No. 8 this week in Trackwire’s top 25.

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 4×400 meter relay which is ranked second. South Carolina looks to capture its second team title in three years after winning the crown at the 2002 NCAA Outdoor Championships.

On the women’s side Nebraska enters in at second (382.50) and UCLA enters in at third (377.35). 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).

The men’s top 10 includes Arizona State (377.67 points), No. 2 Tennessee (373.96), No. 3 Florida (371.73) and 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).

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.

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.