Dec. 20, 2007

NEW ORLEANS - Florida State starts the 2008 season ranked first in the Division I men's indoor preseason poll released today by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association.

The Seminoles will attempt to add their first national indoor title to the NCAA outdoor championships they won in 2006 and 2007. Florida State is followed in the preseason top 10 by Washington, Tennessee, Florida, LSU, Louisville, Stanford, Northern Iowa, Arkansas and Baylor.

The USTFCCCA Division I indoor track and field rankings are compiled solely from NCAA descending order lists. The preseason rankings are based on the final descending order list of the previous season and are compiled by Tom Lewis of Missouri.

With junior sprinter Walter Dix winning his second straight title in the 200 meters, Florida State finished second at last year's NCAA Indoor Track and Field Championships to Wisconsin. Dix won three events (100, 200 and 4 x 100 relay) at the 2007 NCAA outdoor meet.

Defending NCAA men's indoor champion Wisconsin is ranked No. 15 in this year's preseason poll.

The second 10 consists of Kansas, Nebraska, Oregon, Clemson, Wisconsin, Georgia, Oklahoma, Texas, Arizona State and Idaho.

Rounding out the top 25 are Texas A&M, Auburn, Missouri, Oral Roberts and Virginia Tech.

LSU is No. 1 in the preseason women's rankings.

The 2008 NCAA Division I Men's and Women's Indoor Track and Field Championships will be held March 14-15 in Fayetteville, Ark.

USTFCCCA Division I men's indoor track and field preseason rankings
Dec. 20, 2007

1. Florida State
2. Washington
3. Tennessee
4. Florida
5. LSU
6. Louisville
7. Stanford
8, Northern Iowa
9. Arkansas
10. Baylor
11. Kansas
12. Nebraska
13. Oregon
14. Clemson
15. Wisconsin
16. Georgia
17. Oklahoma
18. Texas
19. Arizona State
20. Idaho
21. Texas A&M
22. Auburn
23. Missouri
24. Oral Roberts
25. Virginia Tech