Tech women’s track & field team rated fourth in nation

The Virginia Tech women's track & field team is ranked fourth in the latest U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) poll, released Wednesday. The Hokies debuted in the third spot in the March 27 preseason poll.

The Hokies totaled 212.59 points in the organization’s scoring system and have turned in 23 NCAA Regional qualifying performances. Tech gained 55.76 points after winning the Atlantic Coast Conference Outdoor Championship on Saturday to jump four spots.

A pair of Tech’s sophomore hurdlers currently claim the top times in the nation in their respective events. Queen Harrison owns the country’s top 400-meter hurdle time at 55.16 seconds at the ACC Championships this past weekend. Kristi Castlin has the fastest 100-meter hurdle performance in the country this season with a time of 12.81 seconds at the Hurricane Invitational.

Tech is the highest rated ACC school and the only conference team in the top 15.

Louisiana State tops the national rankings while ACC members Florida State (No. 17) and Virginia (No. 25) are among the top 25.

The complete rankings can be found at http://ustfccca.cstv.com/rankings/rankings_2008.html.

Tech's next meet is the Liberty Twilight on Thursday, May 1 in Lynchburg, Va.