Triple jumper Pitts and 4×400 relay team help LSU rise to No. 1 spot

NEW ORLEANS – For the third week in a row, a new team graces the top spot in the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) rankings. LSU pounced into the top spot in the first edition of the polls to not include preseason data in its projections.

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The Tigers of LSU jumped two spots to No. 1, gaining 10.13 net points for a team score of 162.45 primarily behind strong efforts by fifth-ranked triple jumper Lynnika Pitts (43-1/13.13m) and the fourth-ranked 4×400 relay team (3:33.91) at Arkansas’ Tyson Invitational. This marks the Tigers’ first time atop the rankings since the final week of the 2008 season, when they were the top-ranked team throughout the duration of the regular season until a runner-up showing at the NCAA Indoor Championships.

Arkansas moved up two spots to No. 2 with 149.24 team points, capitalizing on slides by former-No. 1 and No. 2 teams Kansas and Clemson, respectively. After claiming its first top ranking last week, the Jayhawks of Kansas lost 30.34 net points and dropped three spots to No. 4 with 143.03 points, while preseason No. 1 Clemson lost 12 net points to slide to No. 3 with 146.21 points. Three-time defending indoor champion Oregon remains at No. 5 (136.64 points).