FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Mark Albanese, Assistant Sports Information Director, 630-637-5302

Complete Top 25 Rankings
Complete Regional Top 10 Rankings

May 19, 2010-- For the fifth consecutive week, the North Central College men's track and field squad maintains its position as the nation's second ranked squad as the United States Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association released its penultimate National Team Rankings of the outdoor season on Wednesday.

The Cardinals increased their point total by 25.15 points this week, collecting 174.57 points to continue to close the gap on top-ranked McMurry University as the Texas university collects 199.40 points in the week seven rankings, dipping 12.47 points from last week. Salisbury University (Md.) holds steady at No. 3 with 103.35 points while the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh climbs one spot to fourth with 101.22 points. Whitworth University (Wash.) rounds out the top five, falling one spot and collecting 101.16 points. College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin rival Augustana College jumps up four spots to 15th this week, garnering 57.23 points.

In the Regional Team Index Top 10, North Central continues to maintain its position as the Midwest Region's top squad accumulating 588.74 points in the week seven rankings. UW-Oshkosh remains second with 426.66 points followed by Augustana (350.40 points) and Washington University in Saint Louis (280.41 points). Monmouth University (Ill.) rounds out the top five with 196.72 points. CCIW rival Carthage College climbs nine spots to sixth with 183.31 points.

This is the first year that the USTFCCCA has utilized its new formula for compiling rankings, which utilizes the NCAA Division III Outdoor National performance list and assigns points to up to 30 athletes in each event. The purpose of the rankings is to create an index that showcases the teams that have the best potential of excelling at the national championships. The regional team index is a reflection of a team's all-around strength in relation to other teams in their region.

Last week's Dr. Keeler Invitational saw the Cardinals post 10 national qualifying performances with Michael Spain (5,000-meters), Kyle Brady (5,000-meters) and Sean Carlson (3,000-meter steeplechase) all posting automatic qualifying performances. Pole vaulters John Wood, Peter Geraghty, Thomas Stacey and Steven Stack all hit the provisional standard in the event while Jacob Austin (1,500-meters), Chris Kane (3,000-meter steeplechase) and the 4x400-meter relay all turned in provisional qualifying efforts in their respective events.

North Central hosts the Gregory Invitational on Thursday and Friday as athletes will have one final opportunity to improve their marks before next weekend's NCAA Division III Outdoor National Championships. Action inside Benedetti-Wehrli Stadium is slated to get underway at 12:15 p.m. on Thursday before resuming at 3 p.m. on Friday.