Track and Field | 4/14/2010 8:01:57 PM

NEW ORLEANS, La. – The Methodist University men's track and field team has been ranked No. 9 in the second Division III poll by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) while the women broke into the mix at No. 21.

The Monarchs competed at the Merrill Lynch Classic last Saturday and finished with 11 top-10 performances including Ruby Blackwell's automatic qualification in the 200 meters.

This week's release represents marks accumulated by teams in the 2010 outdoor season through the last two weekends as reported to the Track & Field Results Reporting System (TFRRS). Mathematical formulae are used to compile a team's ranking based on an athlete's or relay's standing in relation to others in the same event across the country. A team's score in the national team rankings is a reflection of its “cumulative” chances as it relates ultimately to the NCAA Championships. Also released this week is the regional team index, a reflection of a team's all-around strength in relation to other teams in their region.

The next release of updated rankings for NCAA's Division III will continue on Wednesday, April 21, with weekly updates leading to the NCAA Division III Outdoor Championships to be held May 27-29 in Marietta, Ohio.

About the Rankings
For more on the rankings and links to guideline and rationale information visit …
http://www.ustfccca.org/rankings/division-iii-rankings