USTFCCCA National Rankings

NEW ORLEANS – The Colorado School of Mines men's track and field team made history Tuesday as it claimed the No. 1 spot in the Nation for the first time in program history in the United States Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) NCAA Division II Indoor Rankings.
 
The Orediggers jumped 16 spots in the national poll after starting the year ranked No. 16 in the preseason computer rankings. With 238.22 total points, the Orediggers lead second-ranked Tiffin (135.20) by more than 100 points.
 
Connor McLean helped lead the charge to the top with his performance at the Mines Twilight Classic where he became the new national indoor leader and Mines' record holder in the pole vault, jumping 16-9.5 (5.12m). In the same meet, Jake Pinkston posted the No. 4 jump in the country, clearing 16-5.5 (5.02m).
 
Earlier this season, Grant Colligan posted NCAA automatic qualifying times in the 3,000-meter run (8:03.68 converted from 8:27.11) and 5,000-meter run (14:05.95 converted from 14:47.52). The distance medley relay team of Vincent Workman, Hunter Arnell, Patrick Weaver and Josh Evans posted the fastest DMR mark in NCAA Division II, and an automatic qualifying time, at 9:45.81 (converted from 10:09.24). To date, the Orediggers have combined for 27 NCAA provisional qualifying marks and three automatic marks.
 
Mines is joined in the top-25 by four other RMAC schools including Adams State (5th), CSU-Pueblo (14th), Colorado Christian (18th) and UCCS (24th).
 
Mines returns to competition Friday and Saturday as it hosts the D-II Invite & Multi inside Steinhauer Fieldhouse. Live results from the event will be available at www.MinesAthletics.com/tracklive.