Oilers' Women Jump to #12 | Men Ranked #24 in DII
Findlay, OH – The University of Findlay men's and women's track teams both find themselves in the top 25 in the fourth week of national rankings in the U.S. Track and Field Coaches Association poll.
Men
The men, who finished as the national runner-up in last year's indoor and outdoor seasons, find themselves ranked #24 in DII after being ranked #17 last week. They are one of five teams from the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) to be in the top 25. That is the most of any conference in the country.
Sophomore Sergi Torres cracked into the top ten during last week's Findlay Classic with his 400 meter time of 47.92. That is the seventh fastest time in DII this season.
Sophomore Michael Bruce now holds the seventh best triple jump distance in DII this season following a leap of 49'3.75" at the Tiffin Dragon Open on Jan. 23. Bruce is also tenth in the long jump following a 24'1.00" leap at the Armory Track Invitational.
Women
The Oilers women, who sent four athletes to the national championship meet last indoor season, are climbing the ranks as they are now the #12 team in the country after being #14 last week. They are one of five teams from the GLIAC in the top 25, the most of any conference in the country.
Senior Lydia Guagenti's best performance this year came in the high jump at the Findlay Classic where she leaped 5'8.5", the second best jump in DII this season.
Sophomore Alex DeVincentis is currently fourth in the country with her shot put performance from the Kent State Golden Flash Gala where she had a toss of 49'11.75".
Senior Samantha Grippe, just named as the GLIAC Track Athlete of the Week, broke into the national top-10 in the 800 meter run following her performance at the Grand Valley State Big Meet Invitational on Feb. 12. Her time of 2:10.35 is an indoor personal record and is an NCAA provisional qualifying time.
The Oilers will get back at it this Friday, Feb. 19 when they travel to Columbus, Ohio for the Buckeye Tune-Up. They will then send athletes to Hillsdale, Michigan and Kent, Ohio on Saturday, Feb. 20.