2019 NAIA Outdoor Track & Field Rating Index – Week 5
NEW ORLEANS – Time is of the essence in NAIA Outdoor Track & Field.
That’s because less than four weeks from now, teams will be battling for national glory at the 2019 NAIA Outdoor Track & Field Championships in Gulf Shores, Alabama. The meet is set to take place between May 23 and May 25.
With that being said, it’s time to take a look at the most recent National Rating Index that was released Wednesday by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA).
There will be three more iterations of the National Rating Index: May 8, May 15, May 21.
NAIA — Men's Outdoor Track & Field
This Week's National Top Five
1
British Columbia
British Columbia
2
Wayland Baptist (Texas)
Wayland Baptist (Texas)
3
Indiana Tech
Indiana Tech
4
Westmont (Calif.)
Westmont (Calif.)
5
Saint Mary (Kan.)
Saint Mary (Kan.)
All TFRI Reports
Nothing changed at the top of the Men’s National Rating Index as it still looks to be a three-team race between No. 1 British Columbia, No. 2 Wayland Baptist (Texas) and No. 3 Indiana Tech.
The Pioneers kept pace with the Thunderbirds thanks to an assortment of top marks this past weekend. First of all, WBU’s 4×400 relay team improved its season best to 3:05.34, which is the top-ranked time in the NAIA and was the fifth best time among all collegiate divisions this past weekend. Then you have Tre Hinds (400H, 2nd), Devin Williams (400, 3rd), Demetrius Turner (400, 5th) and Donte Irving (TJ, 6th | 110H, 8th) who are all ranked in the top-8 of their respective events.
The Warriors helped their cause with two national-leading marks this past weekend. Matt Lockridge jumped to No. 1 in the 100 with his time of 10.30, while Cayce Griffin took over the top spot nationally in the 10,000 at 30:21.52.
Westmont (Calif.) jumped two spots from No. 6 to No. 4. The Warriors saw their 4×800 relay team notch the second fastest time in the nation this season (7:42.34) and Marcus Alvarez move up to sixth nationally in the decathlon with 6297 points. Westmont (Calif.) has a dizzying amount of talent in the multi as it has athletes ranked first, fourth and sixth nationally.
Saint Mary (Kan.) rounded out the top-5 this week and is followed by No. 6 William Carey (Miss.), No. 7 Southern Oregon, No. 8 Tennessee Wesleyan, No. 9 Doane (Neb.) and No. 10 Lindsey Wilson (Ky.) in the top-10.
NAIA — Women's Outdoor Track & Field
This Week's National Top Five
1
British Columbia
British Columbia
2
Southern-New Orleans (La.)
Southern-New Orleans (La.)
3
Concordia (Neb.)
Concordia (Neb.)
4
Wayland Baptist (Texas)
Wayland Baptist (Texas)
5
Doane (Neb.)
Doane (Neb.)
All TFRI Reports
The top-5 of the Women’s National Rating Index went virtually unscathed from Week 4.
Actually, the entire top-10 looks pretty much the same minus a few swaps here and there.
British Columbia is still No. 2, but is followed by second-ranked Southern-New Orleans (La.) now, instead of now-No. 3 Concordia (Neb.).
The Knights added five national top-3 marks to their ledger this past weekend, which propelled them closer to the top. Sasha Newman is now ranked second nationally in the 400H, giving SUNO a strong 1-2 punch in that event (Kimona Smikle is the national leader). Xuxa Peart and Jezelle Shaw are now ranked second and third nationally in the 400, while Kimone Hinds doubled up as the third-ranked woman in the 100 and 200.
As it was mentioned before, Concordia (Neb.) fell to No. 3 and is trailed by No. 4 Wayland Baptist (Texas) and No. 5 Doane (Neb.).
The only other change in the top-10 between Week 4 and Week 5 came at No. 8 and No. 9, where William Carey (Miss.) and Hastings (Neb.) swapped spots. The Crusaders are now ranked No. 8 after Brittany Jones took over the national lead in the long jump with a mark of 6.04m (19-9¾).
Oregon Tech is the final team in the top-10 at No. 10.
