NEW ORLEANS – The Texas A&M University-Commerce outdoor track and field teams are both ranked in the top 15 nationally in the U.S. Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) National Rankings after the second weekend of the outdoor season. The Lion men have vaulted to the No. 3 ranking nationally, while the women hold at their program-best ranking of 15th.
 
The men's team improved on 12 scoring marks last weekend to jump four spots in the national rankings. In the triple jump, the Lions have a pair of top 10 national marks, as DeVontae Steele ranks fourth nationally at 15.09 meters, and Gage Bowles ranks sixth nationally at 15.00 meters.
 
Malcolm Woods ranks third in the nation in the 200 meters, with teammate Devon Sanders ranked sixth in that same event. Dedrian Windham ranks fourth nationally in the 400 meters. Austin Yaeger ranks ninth in the nation in the 1,500 meters.
 
Both relays have top 10 times, with the 4x100 meter relay in third, and the 4x400 meter relay newly ranked seventh.
 
The women's team stayed in 15th in the team rankings, with four new scoring marks. Three marks from the opening weekend are still ranked in the top 10 in the nation – Jasmine Roberts ranks second in the triple jump, Markie Abbott ranks fourth in the high jump, and Shanecia Baker ranks ninth in the heptathlon.
 
New marks from week two include Anitial'a Robins ranked 11th in the discus, Ashley Bassett ranked 17th in the 400 meter hurdles, the 4x400 meter relay team ranked 18th, and Alexandra VanSickle ranked 21st in the shot put.
 
The Lions will next compete in the prestigious 90th Clyde Littlefield Texas Relays in Austin starting today with 10 men's and eight women's events qualified to participate. Florian Obst is underway in the men's decathlon. A&M-Commerce is also preparing to host the East Texas Invitational on Saturday, April 15.