New Orleans, LA --- The Worcester State University men's track and field team has debuted as the 21st ranked team in the United States Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) Indoor Division III Top 25 poll composite index.

Based on the outstanding performances from last season, the Lancers netted 37.97 points as one of five squads from around New England in the Top 25. The others included MIT (80.32 points – 5th), Southern Maine (72.45 – 8th), Tufts (65.42 – 10th) and Bates (54.66 – 15th).

Last season, senior Terrence Gibson (Rockland, MA) led the charge for the Lancers with a trio of performances which were among the top 15 nationally.

At the only event that he competed in at the NCAA Division III Championships, Gibson was the runner-up in the 60 meter hurdles with the second fastest split in event history (7.82) in a head-to-head race to remember with current junior Luke Campbell (Brunswick, MD) of Salisbury, who claimed the top spot.

Gibson also reset the Division III New England Championship meet record with the fastest time at MIT, which turned out to be the sixth highest time nationally (6.80) and his 200 meter banked mark at the Open New England Championships a week later tied for 12th in Division III (22.20).

Senior Duy Truong (Worcester, MA/Doherty)  was also among the top 25 nationally in two events including his top long jump at the Springfield Invitational on February 1 (T20th in Division III– 22-9.75/6.94 meters) and his sixth-place 60 meter hurdle performance at the ECAC Championships (23rd in Division III – 8.31).

A season ago, senior Jason Sliwoski (Leicester, MA) had the 20th highest point total in the heptathlon as he earned third overall at the Division III New England Championships. His sum of 4,670 points established a new school record in the event.

Senior David Germain (Malden, MA) rounded out those who factored into the composite ranking equaling 31st nationally in the high jump with a leap of 6-6.25 (1.99 meters), which earned him a MASCAC title at the annual MASCAC/Alliance meet.

Worcester State will continue their season this Saturday at the Tufts Invitational.

Week 1 - USTFCCCA Top 25 Division III Men's Indoor Track & Field Poll