UCR track team ranked nationally
The U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCA) released its first Division I Outdoor Rankings for the 2008 Track & Field Season, and the Highlanders Women's Track & Field team currently ranks No. 42 in the nation.
UCR is the top rated team among Big West Conference institutions and ranks ahead of several programs with longstanding athletics reputations such as North Carolina (No. 43), Kentucky (45), South Carolina (46), Alabama (51) and Georgia Tech (67). The rankings take into account the times and scores of all track and field athletes who have qualified for NCAA regional competition.
Highlanders' sophomore Brenda Martinez of Rancho Cucamonga is ranked second in the nation in the 800m (2:05.54), fifth in the 1500 (4:19.81) and sixth in the 5000m (16:27.51). Junior Cristina Olivas, out of Bloomington High School, is 13th in the steeple (10:38.45), senior Lisa Lopez of Victorville is 15th in the 800m (2:08.40) and junior Uchechi Egeonuigwe is 23rd in the 400m hurdles.
Also scoring points for the Highlanders are sophomore Allison Wilder who is 38th in the triple jump (12.45m, 4-' 10.25") and senior Melissa Genisauski who ranks 42nd in the discus (48.75m, 159' 11").
The UCR Men's and Women's Track teams next compete in the Rafer Johnson/Jackie Joyner Kersee Invitational at UCLA from April 10-12.
UCR is the top rated team among Big West Conference institutions and ranks ahead of several programs with longstanding athletics reputations such as North Carolina (No. 43), Kentucky (45), South Carolina (46), Alabama (51) and Georgia Tech (67). The rankings take into account the times and scores of all track and field athletes who have qualified for NCAA regional competition.
Highlanders' sophomore Brenda Martinez of Rancho Cucamonga is ranked second in the nation in the 800m (2:05.54), fifth in the 1500 (4:19.81) and sixth in the 5000m (16:27.51). Junior Cristina Olivas, out of Bloomington High School, is 13th in the steeple (10:38.45), senior Lisa Lopez of Victorville is 15th in the 800m (2:08.40) and junior Uchechi Egeonuigwe is 23rd in the 400m hurdles.
Also scoring points for the Highlanders are sophomore Allison Wilder who is 38th in the triple jump (12.45m, 4-' 10.25") and senior Melissa Genisauski who ranks 42nd in the discus (48.75m, 159' 11").
The UCR Men's and Women's Track teams next compete in the Rafer Johnson/Jackie Joyner Kersee Invitational at UCLA from April 10-12.
|
Event |
Rank |
Athlete | Yr | Mark | Date | Pl.Pts. | Bonus | Total |
|
800m |
2 |
Brenda Martinez | So | 2:05.54 | 3/22 | 28.00 | 2.80 | 30.80 |
|
Steeple |
13 |
Cristina Olivas | Jr | 10:28.45 | 3/22 | 8.00 | 0.83 | 8.83 |
|
800m |
15 |
Lisa Lopez | Sr | 2:08.40 | 3/22 | 6.00 | 0.77 | 6.77 |
|
1500m |
5 |
Brenda Martinez | So | 4:19.81 | 4/5 | 2.00 | 1.80 | 3.80 |
|
5000m |
6 |
Brenda Martinez | So |
16:27.51 |
3/8 | 2.00 | 1.34 | 3.34 |
|
H400 |
23 |
Uchechi Egeonuigwe | Jr | 1:00.12 | 3/8 | 1.75 | 0.37 | 2.12 |
|
TJ |
38 |
Allison Wilder | So | 12.45m / 40' 10.25" | 3/22 | 0.40 | 0.00 | 0.40 |
|
DISC |
42 |
Melissa Genisauski | Sr | 48.75m / 159' 11" | 3/29 | 0.25 | 0.00 | 0.25 |
| Team Totals | 56.31 |
About Michelle
Michelle Gardner has been a staff writer for The Sun and the Inland Valley Daily Bulletin since 2002 and has covered the local college sports scene since 2004. She ventured West after working at the South Florida Sun-Sentinel in Fort Lauderdale for eight years and is a graduate of the University of Florida.
E-mail Michelle here.
Leave a comment