Southern Illinoise University Athletics
Women's Track receives national ranking from USTFCCCA
01/06/2010 | 12:00:00 | Track and Field
Jan. 6, 2010
By Jason Clay
www.SIUSalukis.com
NEW ORLEANS, La. - The Southern Illinois women's indoor track and field team has been ranked No. 23 in the preseason U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) NCAA Division I poll that was released Wednesday.
Head coach Connie Price-Smith was pleased to see her program in the national rankings, especially since SIU is only one of two Missouri Valley Conference schools ranked in the Top 25. Indiana State came in three spots ahead of the Salukis at No. 20 in the preseason poll.
"It's great recognition for the program to be ranked in the Top 25," Price-Smith said. "This provides great motivation for the athletes to try to rise higher in the rankings. It's nice for them to see who the (ranked teams) are and that they compete against those individuals at the schools all the time."
The Salukis already have one meet under their belts, as they hosted the Saluki Fast Start back on Dec. 4. SIU recorded six provisional marks in its first meet and were led by a trio of throwers in Gwen Berry, Sasha Leeth and Jeneva McCall.
Miracle Thompson set a new school indoor record in the pole vault by clearing 13-01.50 in her first action of the season.
Southern Illinois puts it's national ranking to test for the first time when they host the SASF Invitational at the SIU Recreational Center, Jan. 15-16.
Players Mentioned
