2017 NAIA Outdoor Team Rankings – Week 2

NOTE: Only USTFCCCA member programs are eligible for rankings. Please check your membership status HERE.

NEW ORLEANS – Week in and week out, there are 50 teams listed across the top-25s of the NAIA Outdoor Track & Field National Team Computer Rankings.

Between Week 1 and Week 2, guess how many of those teams stayed in place?

If you said any number larger than eight, you’d be wrong.

QUICK LINKS: Men’s Rankings | Women’s Rankings

Forty-two teams in the most recent rankings that were released Wednesday by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) shifted around. It’s an even split of four teams staying put in the men’s rankings and four entrenched in the women’s rankings.

We’re back to even footing at the top of the NAIA rankings, however, as Indiana Tech has both of the top-ranked teams. The Warrior men jumped previously top-ranked British Columbia, while the women lost a bit of ground but still hold an edge over Concordia (Neb.).

Let’s start with the men’s rankings where the top-10 looks all kinds of different.

Indiana Tech is No. 1, followed by last week’s No. 1 team British Columbia. Coming at No. 3 – jumping 10 spots from Week 1 – is Concordia (Neb.). Southern Oregon and Doane (Neb.) stayed in place at No. 4 and No. 5.

The Bulldogs went from No. 13 to No. 3 thanks to a bunch of stellar efforts. Zachary Lurz (shot put and hammer throw), Cody Boellstorff (hammer throw) and Lucas Weichman (pole vault) are all ranked atop their respective events and garnered valuable points for their team.

Lindsey Wilson (Ky.) soared 31 spots from last week to No. 6 this week. Following the Blue Raiders in the rankings is St. Francis (Ill.) – up nine spots from last week to No. 7 – Wayland Baptist (Texas), Marian (Ind.) and Mid-America Nazarene. Four of those teams jumped six or more spots, while Marian (Ind.) fell one spot from No. 8 to No. 9.

Over in the women’s rankings, Indiana Tech is followed closely by Concordia (Neb.). British Columbia remained in 3rd, while Southern-New Orleans (La.) and Wayland Baptist (Texas) both jumped five spots from No. 9 to No. 4 and No. 10 to No. 5, respectively.

One of the most meaningful steps into the top-10 was taken by Hastings (Neb.). The Broncos added 87.80 points to their tally from Week 1 to Week 2 and can thank their field athletes for their contributions. Nichole Ramaekers led the charge with a 3rd ranked throw in the discus, while Sara Olsen is top-5 in both the shot put and hammer throw. Anna Megenhardt isn’t too far outside the top-5 in the pole vault either.

Other teams in the women’s top-10 include Westmont (Calif.) at No. 6, Northwest Christian (Ore.) at No. 7, USC Beaufort (S.C.) at No. 8 and Doane (Neb.) at No. 10.

The Move of the Week in either poll belonged to the Missouri Baptist women. After starting the season at No. 59, Missouri Baptist vaulted to No. 15 this week – a 44-spot jump.

Be sure to check back throughout the regular season as the rankings will be sure to change before the 2017 NAIA Outdoor Track & Field Championships on May 25-27 in lovely Gulf Shores, Alabama.

#REF!

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