Men’s track & field ranked 17th; women 9th in first outdoor poll

New Orleans, LA - In the first edition of the NJCAA Division I Men's and Women's Outdoor Track & Field National Rating Index, the MCC men's and women's track & field programs each earned a top 20 ranking, with the men ranked at 17 and the women at 9.

The national rankings are released weekly by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) each Wednesday.

The men's team is led by Lofton Thomas and Cayman Wilkes, who are both currently tied for fifth nationally in the pole vault. Along with Malik Chandler (seventh in the 400-meter hurdles) and Desmond Lott (eighth in the discus throw).

Ellis Collins and Mary Siml lead the women's team with Collins currently ranked first and Siml ranked third nationally in the 3000-meter steeplechase. Along with Janie Tenney (third) and Jolynn Fleming (fifth) in the pole vault. Kassidy Faraci (fourth in the javelin throw) and Tanaeya Johnson (sixth in the 3000-meter steeplechase) are ranked highly as well.

The upcoming ACCAC Championship will feature other top 25 ranked teams in Central Arizona College, Paradise Valley CC, Pima CC, and Glendale CC.