NEW ORLEANS, La. - The North Dakota State women's track and field comes in at No. 9 in the Midwest Region in the first edition of the United States Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) regional rankings released Tuesday, Jan. 25.

Oklahoma and Nebraska, are No. 1 and No. 2 in the region, respectively, to lead six Big 12 squads in the rankings.  Three teams from the Big Ten cracked the rankings as well.  The Bison are one of two Summit League teams in this week's regional polls.  Southern Utah is No. 15 in the Mountain Region.

The Bison are led by senior Whitney Carlson, who is ranked in the national top 10 in both the pentathlon and the long jump.  Her long jump mark of 20-4 ½ is sixth, while her school record pentathlon score of 3,954 points is second.  Junior Kristen Killoran is also ranked in the pentathlon at No. 8 with 3,602 points. Junior Leslie Brost is ranked in the pole vault, coming in at a tie for No. 8 with a mark of 13-5 ¼.

NDSU will compete Saturday, Jan. 29 at the Bill Bergan Invitational in Ames, Iowa.

USTFCCCA Midwest Region Rankings

1. Oklahoma

2. Nebraska

3. Minnesota

4. Illinois

5. Southern Illinois

6. Wichita State

7. Iowa State

8. Iowa

9. North Dakota State

10. Kansas State

11. Kansas

12. Missouri

13. Illinois State

14. Northern Iowa

15. Saint Louis