2022 NCAA DII Women’s Outdoor Track & Field Rating Index – Week 1

NEW ORLEANS – And we’re back!

Here is the first installment of the 2022 NCAA Division II Women’s Outdoor Track & Field National Rating Index released by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) on Tuesday. Only marks from the current season are being used, which gives a comprehensive, objective look at which teams have stood out in the early goings.

NCAA Division II — Women's Outdoor Track & Field

This Week's National Top Five

1
West Texas A&M

2
Azusa Pacific

3
Grand Valley State

4
Fresno Pacific

5
Cal Poly Pomona

All TFRI Reports

NATIONAL TFRI
PDFs: Team Detail | Event Detail

REGIONAL TFRI
PDFs: Team Summary | Event Summary

West Texas A&M stands at the top of the first National TFRI of the season. The Lady Buffs have amassed 12 national top-10 marks on the Descending Order List across nine events. Not only that, the Lady Buffs also top the chart in seven different events: Leah Belfield in the 100 (11.52w); Alana Wilson in the 200 (24.01c/23.94A); Eleonora Curtabbi in the steeple (10:16.66); Taylor Nelloms in the triple jump (12.86m/42-2¼); Zada Swoopes in the shot put (17.16m/39-¼) and discus (53.93m/176-11); the 4×100 relay clocking 44.86c (44.74A).

Defending champion Azusa Pacific will debut the season at No. 2. The Cougars also have 12 national top-10 marks themselves, including a pair of national leading marks from Jaylah Walker in the 400H (59.54) and Nicole Warwick in the long jump (6.16m/20-2½). Alayna Verner and Kiayra Holmes give Azusa Pacific two top-5 nationally ranked performances in the 400, while both run on the fourth-ranked 4×400 relay. Other highly-ranked performers for the Cougars in the early season are Jennifer Sandoval in the 5000 (No. 2), Chinenye Agina in the high jump (No. 4) and Sara Wagenveld in the pole vault (No. 5), along with their third-ranked 4×100 relay.

Grand Valley State comes in at No. 3 in Week 1. The Lakers have hauled in 12 national top-10 marks on the Descending Order List through the first two week of the season. Two of them are national leading marks: Allie Ludge in the 1500 (4:23.57); Ellianne Kimes in the pole vault (4.15m/13-7¼). Ludge is one of three Lakers ranked among the top-5 in the 1500, as she is joined by third-ranked Klaudia O’Malley and fifth-ranked Taryn Chapko. You’ll also find Chapko ranked No. 2 in the 800. Another event the Lakers have a heavy presence in is the 10,000 as the trio of Jessica Gockley, Kayce Rypma and Grace Pagone all sit in the top-10.

Fresno Pacific will start the season at No. 4. The Sunbirds have nine national top-10 marks to its credit, with six of them residing in the top-5. The Sunbirds’ 4×400 relay holds the nation’s best time in 3:41.62, while their 4×100 relay is ranked fourth. Kyla Richardson and Danae Manibog, who both run on those highly-ranked relays, are also ranked well in their respective events: Richardson is ranked second in the 200; Manibog is ranked third in the 300.

Cal Poly Pomona rounds out the top-5 in Week 1. The Broncos have eight national top-10 marks to begin the season. Ayana Fields is ranked No. 2 in both the 200 and 200 meters, while Ana Tovi is also ranked second in the shot put. The Broncos also have their 4×100 and 4×400 relays ranked sixth.

Here are the rest of the top-10 teams in Week 1: No. 6 UC-Colorado Springs, No. 7 Queens (N.C.), No. 8 Harding, No. 9 Adams State and No. 10 Angelo State.

Mark your calendars for May 26-28, because that’s when the 2022 NCAA Division II Outdoor Track & Field Championships will be held at Grand Valley State in Allendale, Michigan!