Red Raider Track Ranked No. 2 in Nation in Latest USTFCCCA Power Rankings
Jan. 31, 2008
NEW ORLEANS, La. - The Shippensburg men’s track and field team has been ranked second in this week’s edition of the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) Division II poll. After not being ranked last week, the Red Raiders vaulted to the No. 2 spot in the nation and are the highest-ranked school in the East Region.
Shippensburg is off to a strong start this season on the strength of several contributors, including senior Jamal James (Harrisburg/Central Dauphin) and red-shirt freshman Leander Toney (Lancaster/J.P. McCaskey).
James, who was named PSAC men's indoor track athlete of the week last Wednesday, has recorded the second-fastest time in the PSAC in the 200-meter dash after winning the event at the Bison Open in 22.20 seconds.
Toney opened his season with a blast, recording a high jump of 6' 10 1/4" inches at the Ursinus Track Classic that is the fourth-best mark in the nation and the best by a newcomer.
Additionally, senior Maurice Barbour (Chambersburg/Chambersburg) has recorded the best triple jump in the PSAC this season, recording a mark of 47' 11 1/4" at the Ursinus Track Classic. For that accomplishment, Barbour was named PSAC indoor field athlete of the week on Dec. 11 for his NCAA provisional effort.
Ashland (Ohio), of the GLIAC, is ranked first in the nation, while the top five is rounded out by Northern State, Southern-Illinois Edwardsville and Grand Valley State. East Stroudsburg is the second-highest ranked school in the PSAC in eighth.
After back-to-back weekends in competition at Bucknell, Shippensburg will travel to East Stroudsburg, site of the PSAC championships, next Saturday to compete in the DeSchriver Invitational. Competition gets underway at 10:00 a.m.
- Red Raider Track and Field -
