SAN FRANCISCO – The San Francisco State track and field squad received a No. 3 ranking in the West Region, according to the initial NCAA Division II indoor poll released Tuesday by the United States Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA). 
 
Grand Canyon tops this week's regional poll with 355.59 points, followed by Northwest Nazarene (250.62), SF State (246.62 pts.) and the Academy of Art (223.56 pts.), while Western Washington (167.75 pts.) rounds out the top five.  In addition, the Gators are one of just three California Collegiate Athletic Association teams to appear in the rankings, along with Cal State L.A. (9th – 98.65 pts.) and Cal State Dominguez Hills (10th –77.59)
 
SF State is coming off an impressive performance at the University of New Mexico's Cherry and Silver Invitational last weekend where Carrie Thomas (200 – 25.11), Luisa Musika (shot put – 45-09.00), Keenya McDaniel (60 meters – 7.70) and the Gator 4x400 relay team of Thomas, McDaniel, Brionne Baucham and Maya Cabiness (3:49.50) all surpassed NCAA Division II indoor provisional qualifying marks in their first meet of the 2012 campaign.
 
Thomas and Musika broke their own school records in their respective events, while McDaniel tied Maria Nelson's SF State indoor standard set in 2007.
 
In addition, Zuleima Jimenez captured the event title in the 3,000 meters to lead a group Gator distance runners at the Run for the Dream Invitational in Fresno, Calif.  Jimenez crossed the finish line in 10:41.60, which ranks fifth on the school's all-time indoor charts.
 
SF State returns to action Feb. 3-4 when it competes in the New Mexico Classic at the Albuquerque Convention Center.

Complete Regional Rankings