(LEBANON, Ill., Jan. 25)--The McKendree University women's track and field team jumped to number 21 in the NCAA Division II Women's Indoor Track & Field National Team Computer Rankings this week bumping up 69 spots from its preseason ranking of 90 after a strong start to the 2016-17 indoor season.
The Top-25 nod marks the first time in program history that Bearcats have garnered national honors.
McKendree's jump in the polls was sparked by the performance of sophomore Quincy McSweeney (Eureka, IL/Eureka) who holds the top time in the 800-meter in Division II this season after a time of 2:10.16 back on Dec. 10. The Bearcats relay team of McSweeney, junior Jordyn Looman (Centralia, IL/Centralia), senior Karis Johnson (Indianapolis, IN/Lawrence Central), and freshman Shayna Phillips (Effingham, Il/Effingham) factor into the rankings as the distance medley team holds the fourth fastest time in the nation after a time of 12:24.64 last weekend in Joplin, MO. The same unit along with sophomore Tatiana Nieves (Chicago, IL/Trinity) running as the 4x400 team currently holds the seventh fastest time in the Midwest Region at 3:56.63, which ranks 35th nationally.
The Bearcats men's team has also had a successful start to the season after ranking eighth in the Midwest Region as sophomore Demontez McCray (O'Fallon, IL/O'Fallon) ranks in the top ten in the region in three events. McCray holds the eighth fastest time in Division II in the 200-meter at 21.60 seconds, which ranks third in the region, while placing second in the region in the 400-meter at 48.52 seconds that is good enough for 19th nationally. McCray also holds the seventh fastest time in the 60-meter at 6.87 seconds and is joined by senior Donovan Friscia (Jacksonville, FL/Bartram Trail) who is two spots ahead of McCray ranking fifth in the region and 18th nationally with a finish of 6.85 seconds. The Bearcats distance medley team bolsters the region ranking after earning the second fastest finish this season at 10:27.59 that is good enough for seventh in Division II.
McKendree returns to action this weekend in Elsah, IL in a meet hosted by Principia College.
