NEW ORLEANS, La. --- The Moravian College men's track & field team jumped up nine spots to No. 10 in the nation in this week's final United States Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association Division III Top 25 computer rankings heading into the NCAA Division III Outdoor National Championships later this week.
The Greyhounds garnered 72.13 points, which is based on how the team would fair in a dual meet against other teams in the country with the placement of individuals on the Track & Field Results Reporting System. This week's final rankings are only based on the entries to the NCAA meet being hosted by Ohio Wesleyan University in Delaware, Ohio.
"It is certainly flattering to see Moravian ranked that high headed into the NCAAs," stated Head Coach Jesse Baumann. "With that said it doesn't mean anything, it's just a projected team score. I already spoke to them about this and that the emphasis needs to be on their own events. If Tim, Kris, and Ryan all perform well, I think a top 15 finish is a possibility, but I don't want that weighing on them. I just want them to focus on excelling in their own events, and then any chances of All American honors or high team finishes will take care of themselves."
Moravian has three individuals heading to the NCAA meet. Senior Kristopher Joint is first in the nation in the triple jump with a distance of 15.10 meters (49 feet, 6.5 inches), and he is also second in the long jump with a leap of 7.46 meters (24 feet, 5.75 inches) while senior thrower Timothy Lorah is second in the country in the javelin at 65.50 meters (214 feet, 11 inches). The Hounds also have sophomore pole vaulter Ryan Karnopp in a tie for 15th place at a height of 4.86 meters (15 feet, 11.5 inches).
To view this week's entire USTFCCCA Top 25 poll, visit http://www.ustfccca.org/2014/05/featured/uw-la-crosse-men-uw-oshkosh-women-projected-as-favorites-for-division-iii-outdoor-tf-titles#men.
Joint will compete in the long jump and Karnopp in the pole vault on Thursday, May 23 while Lorah will throw the javelin and Joint will participate in the triple jump on Saturday at the NCAA Championships.
