2019 NAIA Outdoor Track & Field Rating Index – Week 3
NEW ORLEANS – Business is picking up in the NAIA Outdoor Track & Field season.
With about five weeks remaining until the 2019 NAIA Outdoor Track & Field Championships in Gulf Shores, Alabama on May 23-25, we’re beginning to see some big-time performances around the nation, which are shaking up the National Rating Index.
Let’s go ahead and take a look at the most recent National Rating Index, released on Wednesday by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA).
NAIA — Men's Outdoor Track & Field
This Week's National Top Five
1
Wayland Baptist (Texas)
Wayland Baptist (Texas)
2
Indiana Tech
Indiana Tech
3
Saint Mary (Kan.)
Saint Mary (Kan.)
4
British Columbia
British Columbia
5
Westmont (Calif.)
Westmont (Calif.)
All TFRI Reports
There is a new No. 1 team in the Men’s National Rating Index: Wayland Baptist (Texas).
The Pioneers were boosted by the performance of Devin Williams this past weekend. Williams clocked the nation’s second fastest time in the 400 at 46.92, which pairs nicely with the nation-leading time of teammate Quintaveon Poole. Demetrius Turner also turned in a quick time over one lap and is now ranked fifth nationally at 47.24.
Indiana Tech slipped to No. 2, right in front of new No. 3 Saint Mary (Kan.).
The Spires jumped two spots from the previous week after Anterreon McClain notched the fifth fastest time nationally in the 100 at 10.48. Saint Mary (Kan.) also has the top-ranked men in the steeplechase (Luke Skinner) and the 5000 (Philip Lagemann).
British Columbia dropped one spot to No. 4, while Westmont (Calif.) climbed to No. 5.
The Warriors recently saw Pieter Top nudge his way into the national top-8 of the 110H with his time of 14.61. Top is also the top-ranked decathlete in the NAIA with a total score of 6868 points. Jackson Nemitz gives Westmont (Calif.) a strong 1-2 punch in the multi as he is billed third nationally in that event at 6480 points.
NAIA — Women's Outdoor Track & Field
This Week's National Top Five
1
British Columbia
British Columbia
2
Concordia (Neb.)
Concordia (Neb.)
3
Wayland Baptist (Texas)
Wayland Baptist (Texas)
4
Indiana Tech
Indiana Tech
5
Southern-New Orleans (La.)
Southern-New Orleans (La.)
All TFRI Reports
There were no changes to the top-3 teams of the Women’s National Rating Index.
British Columbia remained No. 1 for the third week in a row, while Concordia (Neb.) and Wayland Baptist (Texas) come in at No. 2 and No. 3, respectively. None of those three programs had any marks from this past weekend that affected the TFRI in a major way between Week 2 and Week 3.
Indiana Tech swapped spots with Southern-New Orleans (La.), as those programs are now No. 4 and No. 5, respectively. The Warriors received strong performances from Doneasha Brewer, Destiny Copeland and their 4×100 relay team this past weekend. Brewer is now ranked fifth nationally in the long jump at 5.84m (19-2), Copeland is ranked eighth nationally in the triple jump at 11.67m (38-3½) and the 4×100 relay team slots in at fifth.
Two teams are knocking on the door of the top-5, but need another solid weekend to make their way inside the domicile: No. 6 Westmont (Calif.) and No. 7 Doane (Neb.).
