NEWPORT NEWS, Va. - The Christopher Newport University men's and women's track and field teams are ranked first in the region according to the U.S. Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) in their first rankings release of the year. 

Also released this week were the national team rankings. The Captains were just off the men's and women's national top 25 with the men ranking 26th and the women coming in 30th. These rankings are based upon projected performance at the National Championships.

The dual meet rankings were released this week as well and both the men's and women's teams ranked ninth in the nation. These rankings are based on strength for a head-to-head meet. The men earned 113.64 points while the women earned 103.95. A team's total point score is the sum of all the points earned by that team in each event. Teams select up to two athletes per event and an athlete can only be used in a maximum of three events.

The Captains are headed to Liberty University tomorrow for the Liberty Open. The meet will kick off with the heptathlon 60m at 2:00 on Friday. Saturday will start with the men's weight throw at 9:00am and the meet will conclude Saturday evening. Athletes from 22 universities will be competing in the event as well as post-collegiate competitors. Sophomore Jenna Elliot is seeded first in the women's high jump while junior Richard Roethel is seeded second in the men's. Stay tuned to CNUsports.com for updates.

USTFCCCA National Rankings  (by team)