BIRMINGHAM – The SEC announced Shavez Hart as its Men's Runner of the Week for the first outdoor honor of the 2014 season while USTFCCCA preseason outdoor national computer rankings have the Aggie women ranked No. 1 with the men at No. 3.
Hart won a sprint double at the UTSA Texas Challenge Invitational, claiming the 100 in 10.24 seconds and the 200 in 20.50. Both marks lead the collegiate Division I rankings among marks not assisted by wind. Hart was also part of the A&M winning effort in the 4x100 where the Aggies produced a collegiate leading 38.98 that currently ranks third-fastest in the world for 2014.
The preseason outdoor national computer rankings take into account the current outdoor season performances in combination with the top 2013 outdoor marks by returning athletes, but do not include recent indoor performances.
The A&M men shared the 2013 NCAA Outdoor title, claiming their fourth national championship since 2009, while the women placed second at last year's NCAA Outdoor Championships. Following three consecutive NCAA women's team titles from 2009 to 2011, the Aggies placed third in 2012.
Texas A&M women are prohibitive favorites in the 2014 preseason rankings with 390.30 team ranking points. Ranked second is Oregon at 278.91 with Texas (272.81) third, Florida (268.84) fourth and Kentucky (207.44) fifth.
The men's rankings have a trio of SEC schools occupying the top three positions with Arkansas (311.88), Florida (300.11) and the Aggies (296.36). Rounding out the top five are Oregon (294.12) and Florida State (208.46).
In both men's and women's national rankings the SEC continues to be the dominate conference. Eight men's teams from the SEC rank among the top 15 while seven women's conference teams rank among the top 20.
USTFCCCA Preseason National Team Computer Rankings
Outdoor – March 25
WOMENÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Points
1. Texas A&MÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 390.30
2. Oregon                                              278.91
3. Texas                                                  272.81
4. Florida                                                268.84
5. Kentucky                                          207.44
6. Georgia                                             170.48
7. Southern California                      160.30
8. LSUÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 152.06
9. Arizona                                              151.40
10. Kansas                                             151.25
11. San Diego State                           137.19
12. Florida State                                  130.86
13. UCLAÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 129.00
14. Arkansas                                         128.40
15. Stanford                                         125.40
16. Texas Tech                                     109.48
17. Penn State                                     107.90
18. Notre Dame                                  105.11
19. Washington                                   104.83
20. South Carolina                              102.28
21. Arizona State                                  92.72
22. Providence                                      90.12
23. Central Florida                                87.37
24. Connecticut                                     78.17
25. Baylor                                                 77.09
MENÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â POINTS
1. Arkansas                                           311.88
2. Florida                                                300.11
3. Texas A&MÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 296.36
4. Oregon                                              294.12
5. Florida State                                    208.46
6. Wisconsin                                         168.62
7. Georgia                                             165.54
8. LSUÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 164.02
9. UCLAÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 161.98
10. Alabama                                         158.89
11. Nebraska                                        153.11
12. Mississippi                                     149.74
13. Southern California                    144.63
14. Texas Tech                                     140.92
15. Tennessee                                     123.66
16. Arizona                                            117.42
17. Baylor                                              115.83
18. Texas                                               107.86
19. Penn State                                       98.95
20. Brigham Young                               96.42
21. Cornell                                               87.01
22. Arizona State                                  86.70
23. Stanford                                            84.28
24. California                                          83.37
25. Illinois                                                 77.65