Release Courtsey of Tom Lewis:  U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association, Communications Manager

NEW ORLEANS -- The Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) has four teams ranked in the Computer Team Rankings released Tuesday by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA).

Click here for the release on the USTFCCCA website

The Academy of Art women and the Adams State men are the favorites heading into the Division II NCAA Indoor Championships based on the final U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) National Team Computer Rankings released Monday – based exclusively on confirmed entries into the championship meet.

Adams State (205.51 team points) remains at No. 1 for the second straight week heading into the NCAA Championships. The Grizzlies will be represented in Birmingham, Ala., by 17 total entries, the second-most among all men’s DII teams. As has been their strength all season, the Grizzlies’ middle-distance and distance events will be their strength at NCAAs with six and five entries, respectively – by far the most in DII. A national championship would be the first since 2010.

Just behind Adams State is Ashland with 200.23 team points. Like the Grizzlies, the Eagles will take 17 entries to the NCAA Championships, a majority of which will come in the sprints and throws with five apiece. Ashland’s best finish at the NCAA Championships was a runner-up showing in 2011.

Despite bringing the largest number of entries to the championships with 18, the Saint Augustine’s Falcons (184.11) are No. 3 ahead of the weekend. With nine entries in the sprints and six in the jumps, the Falcons will field the most entries in both disciplines in Birmingham. They will be going for their first team title since 2009.

Defending champion Grand Canyon is ranked No. 4 heading into the championships with 115.46 team points. The Antelopes will carry 13 entries to the championships, including a DII-leading six in the jumps and five in the sprints.

Grand Valley State (114.63) completes the top five. The Lakers will be the fourth-best represented team on the men’s side with 14 entries, including a DII-best six throwers and five jumpers. GVSU has never won a men’s team title.

The 2013 NCAA Division II Indoor Track & Field Championships will be held in Birmingham, Ala., March 7-9. This week’s edition of the rankings is the last of the 2013 indoor season.

Dropped out: None