Top-Recruiting Women's Teams

1. UCLA
Combining the ratings of the UCLA recruiting classes the previous three years (3-1-4) with this year's elite group and it's obvious why the Bruins are the preseason pick to win the NCAA team title. Start with Sheena Johnson (11.87/53.68/13.73/56.82/20-0/41-7), twice the Indoor AOY without counting her best outdoor event.

Then add High School All-America choices Jessica Cosby (50-31/2) and Adia McKinnon (52.91, also 11.54/23.89) and double All-Am Sani Roseby (11.76/13.72, also 24.03/54.76) and you'll see why coach Jeanette Bolden is all smiles.

2. Texas
The repeat runner-up here, the Longhorns got "only" a single All-America, top-rated hurdler Nichole Denby (13.22, also 11.67/41.59). Only a single '00 A-A that is, but coach Bev Kearney also signed on a pair of '99 honorees, quartermiler Alyssa Aiken (53.45, also 23.94/58.06H) and long jumper Adrienne Crenshaw (20-1/2w).

Hurdler Raasin McIntosh (59.46) and sprinter Natasha Staten (23.62/53.41) could prove valuable to the pivotal Horn relays.

3. Stanford
The Cardinal's deep crew included a pair of All-America choices in vaulter Leila Ben-Youssef (12-71/2) and shot/discus scorer Jill Camarena (49-111/2/161-0) and a '99 pick in distance standout Victoria Chang (4:38.03/9:38.03). GWI 3200 winner Jillian Mastroianni (4:48.03/10:22.38) was a double A-A as a soph.

4. USC
Ron Allice's Trojans didn't pick up any of the super-profile prep talent, but fortified strongly by other means: Europe provided a high-level 800 runner in Pole Aleksandra Deren (2:00.31) and a javelin talent in Lithuanian Inga Stasiulionyté (175-2); the 2-year ranks brought over JC hammer recordholder Amy Thiel (184-9); transfer Natasha Neal (13.22w/56.86) was twice an All-Am in both hurdles as a prep.

5. North Carolina
Coach Dennis Craddock scored big in the middle distances, nabbing a pair of All-Americas in miler Shalane Flanagan (4:46.60, also 10:23.82) and two-time 800 choice Alice Schmidt (2:08.6). Tiffany Flomo was No. 2 on the yearly prep 300H list at 40.79.

Honorable Mention
Near to rating (alphabetically) were Arkansas, LSU, Nebraska, Princeton and Washington State.