Oklahoma State University Athletics
OSU Has Highest-Ever Ranking Entering NCAAs
May 28, 2013 | Cowboy Cross Country & Track
May 28, 2013
STILLWATER -
The Oklahoma State men's track and field team is ranked No. 17 in this week's United States Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association top 25, it was announced today. This is the highest ranking the Cowboys have ever received in the USTFCCCA poll.
This is the fifth appearance in the poll for the Cowboys this outdoor season, improving on what was already the season with most appearances in school history. The Cowboys were just out of the top 25 a week ago, but after qualifying athletes for the NCAA meet in four events, OSU leapt 10 spots in the poll.
“It's awesome to move up like that,” OSU Coach Dave Smith said. “I'm excited about the group we're taking to Eugene. I think we have a good chance to score higher than what we're ranked, just like we did in indoors.”
Individually, though rankings have stopped for the season, some Cowboys made major improvements from their previous rankings by qualifying for Nationals.
Fabian Clarkson was ranked No. 49 in the nation in the 3,000 meter steeplechase, but ran a personal-best 8:43.73 in Austin to secure his place as one of the 24 best in the NCAA going to Eugene.
Kirubel Erassa (No. 32) and Girma Mecheso (No. 35) were on the outside of the top 24 in the 5,000 meters going into Austin, but they both left as automatic qualifiers for the NCAA Championships, with Erassa at No. 4 in the West and Mecheso at No. 7.
Fabian Clarkson was ranked No. 49 in the nation in the 3,000 meter steeplechase, but ran a personal-best 8:43.73 in Austin to secure his place as one of the 24 best in the NCAA going to Eugene.
Kirubel Erassa (No. 32) and Girma Mecheso (No. 35) were on the outside of the top 24 in the 5,000 meters going into Austin, but they both left as automatic qualifiers for the NCAA Championships, with Erassa at No. 4 in the West and Mecheso at No. 7.
Although Mecheso took third at the meet in Austin, his 27:52.38 in the 10,000 meters still holds the top spot in the nation.
In addition to securing the hammer throw crown at the West Regional by a wide margin, Nick Miller's 71.60m/234-11 performance also allowed him to move from No. 2 to No. 1 in the nation.
In addition to securing the hammer throw crown at the West Regional by a wide margin, Nick Miller's 71.60m/234-11 performance also allowed him to move from No. 2 to No. 1 in the nation.
On the women's side, Natalja Piliusina backed up her No. 1 ranking in the 1,500 meters by being the top qualifier in the West going into the NCAA meet.
The OSU track and field teams will be back in action June 5-8, at the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships, in Eugene, Ore.
U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association National Men's Team Computer Rankings (Week Nine)
1 Texas A&M
2 Arkansas
3 Oregon
4 Florida
5 Florida State
6 LSU
7 Southern California
8 Texas
9 Nebraska
10 Virginia Tech
11 Georgia
12 TCU
13 Wisconsin
14 Mississippi
15 Kansas
16 Alabama
17 Oklahoma State
18 Penn State
19 UCLA
20 Iowa
21 Ohio State
22 Arizona
23 Mississippi State
24 BYU
25 Kansas State
Players Mentioned
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