Men's Track Team Jumps to No. 11
June 05, 2003 | Track and Field
June 5, 2003
Lubbock, Texas - The Texas Tech men's track and field team will enter the 2003 NCAA Outdoor Track Championships with its highest ever ranking as the latest Trackwire 25 projects the Red Raiders to place 11th scoring 21 points at the national meet in Sacramento, Calif.
Individually, the 1,600-meter relay team of Albert Booker, Julieon Raeburn, Matt Stewart and Jonathan Johnson moved up one place and is ranked second behind the Baylor Bears. Bobby Most held steady at No. 3 in the pole vault, while Jason Young was Tech's biggest mover jumping up five spots to No. 5 in the Discus. Despite winning the Mid-West region, Johnson fell one place to No. 6 in the 800, Chad Pharis held steady at the 10-spot in the high jump and Booker makes his first appearance as a Trackwire Dandy Dozen at No. 10 in the 400.
The factors used to build the Dandy Dozen include quantitative values that measure performances in past major competitions (such as conference championships, national championships and Olympic competition), durability and freedom from injuries, demonstrated ability to compete well in multiple rounds of competition, ability in other events, head-to-head competition with other top athletes, and personal or seasonal bests.
The Red Raiders are the top ranked team in the Big 12 Conference and have moved up five places from last week's power ranking on the heels of a third-place finish at the Mid-West Regional meet and betters its previous best ranking of 15th the week of April 29.
This also marks the first time in 2003 that a team from Texas Tech has held the highest national ranking of any Big 12 school.
A complete list of the Trackwire 25 can be viewed at www.Trackwire.com.