Dec. 20, 2007

NEW ORLEANS - Led by a typically strong group of sprinters and hurdlers, LSU received the top position in the Division I women's indoor preseason poll released today by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association.

Hurdler Jessica Ohanaja and sprinter Kelly Ann Baptiste are among the key returnees for the Tigers. LSU finished second at the 2007 NCAA indoor and outdoor championships.

Defending NCAA indoor and outdoor champion Arizona State is ranked second. Rounding out the top 10 are Tennessee, Michigan, Stanford, South Carolina, Texas Tech, Texas A&M, Arkansas and Virginia Tech.

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.

The second 10 is comprised of Texas, Penn State, Florida, UCLA, Minnesota, North Carolina, Mississippi, Villanova, California and Southern Illinois.

Completing the top 25 are Hampton, BYU, Georgia, Iowa and Illinois.

Florida State is ranked 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.

LSU has won a record 11 NCAA Division I women's indoor championships, the most recent coming in 2004.

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

1. LSU
2. Arizona State
3. Tennessee
4. Michigan
5. Stanford
6. South Carolina
7. Texas Tech
8. Texas A&M
9. Arkansas
10. Virginia Tech
11. Texas
12. Penn State
13. Florida
14. UCLA
15. Minnesota
16. North Carolina
17. Mississippi
18. Villanova
19. California
20. Southern Illinois
21. Hampton
22. BYU
23. Georgia
24. Iowa
25. Illinois