For the first time during the outdoor track and field season, the Lincoln women will not find themself atop the national track and field rankings.
When the United States Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association released its Division II national poll, Lincoln found itself in the No. 2 spot, trailing Grand Canyon. Grand Canyon racked up 235.51 points in the poll, while Lincoln dropped to 226.60. They are followed by the Academy of Art (198.33), Grand Valley State (167.23) and Johnson C. Smith (124.44) in the top five.
According to the USTFCCA website, the organization compiles its national team rankings by "mathematical formulae based on national descending order lists and data taken from previous seasons. For the preseason ranking and early-season rankings, data will be taken from previous seasons as well as the current season." With the removal of last year's marks and the reliance now on results solely from this year, Grand Canyon was able to leapfrog Lincoln.
Other teams from the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association landing in the rankings are Central Missouri (No. 14, 65.58 points) and Pittsburg State (No. 18, 53.89).
The Lincoln men also dropped a spot thanks to the removal of preseason data, falling from No. 7 to No. 8 and receiving 115.47 points. Overtaking the No. 7 ranking is MIAA foe Pittsburg State, which climbed up two spots and has 119.89 points.
Saint Augustine's continues to hold the top spot in the men's rankings, receiving 259.44 points to hold off Grand Canyon, which is No. 2 with 218.89 points. The rest of the top five includes Ashland (210.48), Adams State (165.22 points) and Findlay (142.89).
Three other MIAA programs were ranked this week, giving the league the most teams from one conference in the poll. Besides Lincoln and Pittsburg State, the other ranked conference teams were Missouri Southern (No. 9, 90.00 points), Emporia State (No. 18, 56.11) and Central Missouri (No. 23, 49.02).
The Lincoln teams have a busy weekend looming, as some members will compete in the Kansas Relays set for today through Saturday, while others will be at the Dewey Allgood Invitational hosted by Missouri S&T on Sunday.