Tide Men Ranked 9th Nationally, Tying Highest Weekly Ranking In Program History

The Alabama men’s team is ranked 9th in the April 8th edition of the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) Division I National Team Computer Rankings. The No. 9 ranking is the tied for the highest ranking ever attained by the Crimson Tide in the seven-year history of the rankings (also ranked No. 9 the second week of 2008 outdoor season). The Crimson Tide is third in the men’s rankings for the NCAA South Region while the women open up fifth in the regional rankings.

The national team rankings are compiled by mathematical formulae based on national descending order lists and data taken from previous seasons. The purpose and methodology of the rankings is to create an index that showcases the teams that have the best potential of achieving the top spots in the national team race. Rankings points do not equate with NCAA Championships team points.

Last weekend, the Crimson Tide won 18 events and set seven meet records while winning the men’s team title at the Crimson Tide Invitational in Tuscaloosa. The Alabama’s men’s team netted 11 event victories and finished first in the team standings with 165 points while Penn State scored 115 points to finish second, and Louisville placed third with 86 points. The Alabama women earned a runner-up finish with seven event victories and 125 points while Penn State topped the women’s team standings with 164.5 points and Florida State took third with 74 points.

On Friday, Alabama hosts its final home meet of the season, The Border Clash meet, a cooperative team scoring meet in which several Alabama schools compete as one team against schools from the state of Mississippi. Action is slated to begin Friday, April 11, with the women’s weight throw at 10:30 a.m. CT, while the track events will get underway at 4:45 p.m. Alabama teams up with Auburn and Samford to take on Ole Miss, Mississippi State and Southern Miss.