NEW ORLEANS – Carson-Newman men's track and field were ranked 13th in the opening NCAA Division II National Rating Index by the U.S. Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCA) Tuesday.
"I am extremely proud of our team to be 13th this week, it is the result of a lot of hard work and dedication," head coach David Needs said. "We as a staff know this is just the start, and would like to see us build on this ranking and not use it as the high-water mark of the season."
The poll comes three days removed from the Finn Pincus Invitational, which saw junior sprinter Devon Moore (Baxley, Ga.) set the nation's fastest time in the 60-meter dash. Earning 58.66 points overall, Moore blazing-fast dash earned the Eagles 22.20 points toward the national index, which is set to release weekly throughout the season.
"When you have these athletes that perform at a high level, you're really pleased because with what they're doing because they're living up to the expectations this year that you set for them," Needs said. "Devon (Moore), Christian (Shouse), Danilo (Cardoso), guys like that....and that's what we want from our athletes. We want people that are going to compete at the highest level."
Lucky No. 13 is the highest the Eagles have ever earned in the polls first regular-season iteration. C-N's rank is the highest in the South Atlantic Conference and the only SAC member school inside the top-25.
Wingate entered Week 1's poll in 44th, while Queens earned 53rd in the first iteration. Lenoir-Rhyne was slated at 59th as the last SAC school inside the top-60, respectively.
G-MAC competitor Tiffin checked in at No. 1, with Lincoln (Mo.), Ashland, American International and Colorado School of Mines rounding out the top-5.
The full national rankings can be found here.
In the regional rankings released by the USTFCCCA, C-N checked in at third for the men's program and fifth for the women's, respectively. Needs said the regional rankings represent a "total team effort."
Next up for C-N is a return to Johnson City, Tenn. for the Buccaneer Invitational on Jan. 31-Feb. 1.
