No. 1 ranking still to USC women's liking

By RYAN HERRINGTON

At first blush, the fact the USC women remain atop the latest Golf World/WGCA women's Division I coaches' poll doesn't seem all that noteworthy. Sure, the Trojans' recent come-from-behind victory over UCLA at the Bruin Wave Invitational make them the logical pick among voters, their mid-season addition of Annie Park giving an already talented roster of Sophia Popov, Doris Chen, Kyung Kim and Rachel Morris a reliable No. 5 (or better, depending on how everybody is playing).

However, what's notable about USC's No. 1 ranking is that it's the ninth time since Golf World resumed the poll in 2001-02 that the Trojans have claimed the top spot, pulling them out of a tie with Auburn as the fourth most decorate program in the poll's history. Only three schools have been ranked No. 1 more often than USC—Duke, which has claimed the honor 41 times (in 99 editions of the poll); UCLA, top-ranked on 20 occasions; and Arizona State, numero uno 12 times.

Two other notables concerning this week's poll:

Four victories in five starts was enough to convince voters to make Nova Southeastern the unanimous choice for No. 1 in the latest *Golf World/*WGCA women's Division II coaches' poll. The Sharks claimed all 17 first-place votes to hold on to the top spot in every poll since September 2011.

Jumping from No. 3 to No. 2 is St. Edward's after the Hilltoppers won their home event, the St. Edward's Invitational, for their sixth victory in seven starts.

Lynn climbed the No. 3 spot (up from No. 4) while Rollins slid down from No. 2 to No. 4. Rounding out the top five is Florida Southern.

Methodist's claim to the No. 1 spot in the latest Golf World/WGCA women's Division III coaches' poll remained resolute, with the Monarchs claiming all 15 of 16 first-place votes. The D-III juggernaut has three victories in five starts and begins the toughest stretch of their 2012-13 schedule, with four tournaments slated in the next 30 days.

Also holding firm to their places near the top of the poll are No. 2 Washington U. of St. Louis, No. 3 Centre and No. 4 Mary Hardin-Baylor. DePauw rounds out the top five, moving up one spot from the previous poll.