May 21, 2003

LUBBOCK, Texas - Fresh off its best finish at the Big 12 Outdoor Track and Field Championships last weekend the Texas Tech men's track team earned its first ranking at No. 20 on Trackshark.com's Top 25, released Wednesday.

The Trackshark Top 25 is ranked with an emphasis on actually winning; such at major meets as the most important. Head-to-head competition with other teams is also vital and how a team looks on paper is least important. The on paper part is done several ways, by utilizing the Trackwire and Team Power rankings as well as some in-house ratings. The Trackshark Top 25 are compiled by respected track & field statistician and Trackshark contributor Jesse Squire.

With the ranking Tech is now ranked in both major rankings for the sport of track and field. The Red Raiders are ranked at No. 16 in the latest Trackwire ranking.

Both the men and women's team will have this weekend off as it prepares for the NCAA Midwest Regional meet in Lincoln, Neb. This year will be the first for the NCAA to use the regional format for advancement to the NCAA Championships. Athletes placing in the top five at one of the four regional meets will receive an automatic berth to the championships, with the field being completed by at-large selections from the NCAA descending order list.

Both the regional and national descending order lists can be viewed at www.Trackshark.com.