NEW ORLEANS – A solid start to the season has proven to be fruitful for the UNC Pembroke men's track & field team as the Braves checked in at No. 7 in the NCAA Division II Men's Outdoor Track & Field Team Rankings by the United States Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association.
 
It is the first national ranking for the program in nearly a decade, and the highest ranking for the program since the poll's inception in 2010. The Black & Gold is also tops among 23 NCAA Southeast Region schools.
 
UNCP sports top-10 national times or marks in six events, including top-10 times by both Javon Graham (6^th) and Christian Ceccato (8^th) in the 110-meter Hurdles. Freshman J.C. Smith sports top-15 times or distances in the Long Jump (4^th) and 200-meter Dash (9^th), while the Black & Gold's 4x100-meter Relay team is currently ranked sixth in the nation.
 
The Braves will return to action this weekend when they make the short trip to Mount Olive to take part in the Trojan Challenge.
 
UNCP will return home again, April 19-21, when it suits up to play host to the 2018 Peach Belt Conference Track & Field Championships at the Dick & Lenore Taylor Track.