Oklahoma State University Athletics
Cowboys Rise To Highest-Ever Outdoor Ranking
May 06, 2014 | Cowboy Cross Country & Track
May 6, 2014
STILLWATER -
The Oklahoma State men's track and field team achieved its highest outdoor ranking in school history today, climbing 10 spots to No. 7 in this week's edition of the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) outdoor rankings.
This is the highest outdoor ranking for OSU since the creation of the poll, with the previous best being No. 17. Oklahoma State is currently ranked ahead of Texas, LSU, Alabama and USC, among others.
“It illustrates that we're on the right path,” OSU coach Dave Smith said. “It's a stepping stone. It's a great ranking, but it doesn't mean a lot because you still have to perform on the day. We are in position to be a top-10 team or higher if everyone performs. However, we were in this position last year and didn't get it done. You have to back up the ranking when the time comes.”
Individually, Oklahoma State has 12 athletes ranked in the NCAA's top 50 in their respective events.
On the men's side, there are five Cowboys claiming top-five NCAA rankings. Shadrack Kipchirchir (27:36.79) holds the No. 1 spot in the 10,000 meters, Kirubel Erassa (13:27.55) ranks No. 2 in the 5,000 meters, Chad Noelle (3:40.06) sits at No. 3 in the 1,500 meters, Nick Miller (71.30m/233-11) claims the No. 4 spot in the hammer throw and John Teeters (10.14) is No. 5 in the 100 meter dash.
Kipchirchir, Erassa and Noelle are all ranked in two events. Kipchirchir (13:37.68) also has the No. 9 spot in the 5,000 meters, Erassa (29:02.77) is No. 25 in the 10,000 meters and Noelle (1:48.62) sits at No. 24 in the 800 meters.
Rounding out the ranked Cowboys are Tyler Payton (1:49.17) at No. 39 in the 800 meters, Brian Gohlke (29:17.41) at No. 41 in the 10,000 meters and Itamar Levi at No. 45 in the shot put, with a mark of 18.21m/59-9.
For the Cowgirls, Savannah Camacho leads the way at No. 4 in the 800 meters. Her mark of 2:02.84 ranks second in OSU history.
In the discus, Ieva Zarankaite (54.34m/178-3) continues her impressive debut season, checking in at No. 19, and Monika Juodeskaite (16:00.32) ranks No. 32 in the 5,000 meters and No. 28 in the 1,500 meters, with a mark of 4:19.58.
Viktoriia Sadokhina (12.78m/41-11.25) holds the No. 31 spot in the triple jump.
OSU track & field returns to action this Saturday, May 9, at the Wildcat Open, in Manhattan, Kan.
2014 USTFCCCA Men's National Outdoor Track & Field Rankings (Week Five)
1 Florida
2 Texas A&M
3 Arkansas
4 Oregon
5 Texas Tech
6 Georgia
7 Oklahoma State
8 Texas
9 LSU
10 Alabama
11 BYU
12 UCLA
13 Baylor
14 USC
15 Wisconsin
16 Nebraska
17 Penn State
18 Kentucky
19 Mississippi
20 Illinois
21 Tennessee
22 Stanford
23 New Mexico
24 Pittsburgh
25 Arizona
NCAA Division 1 Individual Event Rankings
Men
100 Meters
5. John Teeters – 10.14
800 Meters
24. Chad Noelle – 1:48.62
39. Tyler Payton – 1:49.17
1,500 Meters
3. Chad Noelle – 3:40.06
5,000 Meters
2. Kirubel Erassa – 13:27.55
9. Shadrack Kipchirchir – 13:37.68
10,000 Meters
1. Shadrack Kipchirchir – 27:36.79
25. Kirubel Erassa – 29:02.77
41. Brian Gohlke – 29:17.41
Shot Put
45. Itamar Levi – 18.21m/59-9
Hammer Throw
4. Nick Miller – 71.30m/233-11
Women
800 Meters
3. Savannah Camacho – 2:02.84
1,500 Meters
28. Monika Juodeskaite – 4:19.58
5,000 Meters
32. Monika Juodeskaite - 16:00.32
Triple Jump
31. Viktoriia Sadokhina - 12.78m/41-11.25
Discus
19. Ieva Zarankaite – 54.34m/178-3
Players Mentioned
