FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
DATE: January 24, 2008
CONTACT: Lori Walker, Assistant SID
PHONE: (303) 273-3735

CSM MEN'S TRACK & FIELD TEAM RANKED 14th

GOLDEN, Colo. - The Colorado School of Mines men's track & field team is ranked 14th in the nation, according to the first 2008 Indoor Division II Coaches Power Rankings released this morning by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association.

Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville opens up as the top-ranked team in Division II with 222.63 power points. The Orediggers are ranked 14th with 126.71 power points.

The Orediggers opened up their 2008 indoor season last weekend with a meet at the University of Colorado-Boulder. Mines had two individuals qualify for the national meet to be held on March 14-15 in Mankato, Minn. Freshman sprinter Kiera Benson broke the school record along with qualifying for Nationals in the women's 60 meter dash with a time of 7.70. Mark Husted qualified in the men's 800 meters with a time of 1:55.17. The Orediggers will have their entire squad in action on Saturday, January 26th, with their first home meet, the Joe Davies Open, at Steinhauer Fieldhouse in Golden.

The 2008 Men's USTFCCCA Division II Coaches Power Rankings (as of Jan. 24th)

(Rank, School, Power Points)
1. Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville, 222.63
2. Adams State College, 192.47
3. Lock Haven University of Pennsylvania, 189.93
4. Grand Valley State University, 188.42
5. East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania, 188.04
6. University of Massachusetts at Lowell, 179.45
7. University of Findlay, 170.43
8. Lewis University, 162.66
9. University of Mary, 159.79
10. Concordia University-St. Paul, 155.73
11. Saint Joseph's College (Indiana), 152.88
12. Hillsdale College, 149.85
13. Adelphi University, 131.05
14. Colorado School of Mines, 126.71
15. Kentucky State University, 115.11

For more information, please contact CSM Assistant Sports Information Director Lori Walker at (303) 273-3735 or lhubbart@mines.edu.

-- OREDIGGERS --