University of Tennessee Athletics
VOLS FOURTH IN TRACKWIRE POLL
June 01, 2007 | Men's Track
June 1, 2007
The Tennessee men's track and field team moved into a tie for fourth in this week's Trackwire poll. The Vols, who were ranked sixth last week, are projected to score 31 points at the NCAA Outdoor Championships.
All-America Evander Wells won the 200 at the Mideast Regional and has the third-fastest time in the NCAA this season. The freshman is ranked second in the 200. Rubin Williams claimed the SEC crown in the 200 and is ranked fifth in the event. The nine-time All-America is also ranked eighth in the 100 after finishing fifth at the Mideast Regional. Team captain Chris Helwick, who finished second at last year's NCAA championships in the decathlon, is ranked third in the event.
The Vols 4x100 relay team of Matthieu Pritchett, Wells, Kyle Stevenson and Williams is ranked second this week after winning the conference title with the second-fastest clocking in the NCAA. Team captain Jangy Addy remained fifth in the decathlon rankings after winning the SEC championship in the event. Sophomore Matthew Maloney, who is sixth on Tennessee's all-time performance list in the javelin, is ranked ninth in the event. Junior Yarrick Kincaid moved to 12th in the 800 after recording the 10th-fastest time in school history during the Mideast Regional.
Defending outdoor champion Florida State leads the rankings with 59 points. SEC foes Auburn and LSU are ranked second and third with 38 and 35 points, respectively. West Region champion Southern California is tied with Tennessee for fourth with 31 points. Mississippi (11th-tie, 20 points), Florida (20th, 16 points), Arkansas (25th-tie, 11 points) and South Carolina (25th-tie, 11 points) are also ranked, giving the SEC seven teams in this week's poll which is more than any other conference.
The Trackwire 25 projects a hypothetical score for the NCAA meet, factoring in injury reports and other variables supported by information gathered from coaches and NCAA-qualifying competitions across the country. This projection is generated by scoring the Dandy Dozen, a power ranking of the top-12 athletes and relay squads in each NCAA event.
The factors used to build the D12 include quantitative values that measure performances in past major competitions (such as conference championships, national championships and Olympic competition), durability and freedom from injuries, demonstrated ability to compete well in multiple rounds of competition, ability in other events, head-to-head competition with other top athletes, and personal or seasonal bests. The complete poll can be found at www.trackwire.com.
The NCAA Outdoor Championships will be held June 6-9 on the campus of Sacramento State University. Hornet Stadium, located in the A.G. Spanos Sports Complex and home to Sacramento State's track and football teams, is the largest in the Big Sky Conference and currently has a listed capacity of 21,000.
