2020 NCAA DI Women’s Indoor Track & Field Rating Index – Preseason

*** Ratings UPDATED at Thursday, January 9, 9:15 a.m., Central *** 

NEW ORLEANS – Fight on!

For the first time in program history, Southern California tops the NCAA Division I Women’s Indoor Track & Field National Rating Index. The Women of Troy lead defending national champion Arkansas in the Preseason Edition, which was released on Wednesday by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA).

NCAA Division I — Women's Indoor Track & Field

This Week's National Top Five

1
Southern California

2
Arkansas

3
Georgia

4
Texas

5
Texas A&M

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NATIONAL TFRI
PDFs: Team Detail | Event Detail

Big things are expected out of Southern California, a program that had three women on The Bowerman Preseason Watch List on Monday. Two of those three women will compete indoors as Chanel Brissett (60 hurdles) and Twanisha Terry (60) are ranked among the top-2 of their respective events in the USTFCCCA Individual Rankings, which take into account past and present performances (Angie Annelus, the third on The Bowerman Watch List, is out of indoor eligibility and will look to defend her outdoor 200 title for the third year in a row). Kaelin Roberts and Kyra Constantine give the Women of Troy a dynamic combination at No. 1 and No. 2, respectively, in the 400.

Arkansas is looking to become the first program since Oregon to defend its national title (The Ducks went back to back in 2013 and 2014). The Razorbacks graduated a few important pieces from last year’s squad, but return a strong contingent and added a star in the offseason. Look for Cal Poly transfer Katie Izzo to be a linchpin for Arkansas as she already proved her mettle in cross country and opened the indoor season with the second fastest mark in collegiate history over 5000 meters. Lauren Gregory (mile/3000) and Kelsey Herman (pentathlon) should add valuable points for the Razorbacks, among others.

Georgia enters the season ranked third, the same place it began the 2017 and 2018 editions. Those seasons didn’t turn out too bad for the Bulldogs as they finished runner-up in 2017 and won the national title in 2018. Georgia is stacked once again in the field events and bolstered its group with the addition of Kansas State transfer Nina Schultz, who is ranked No. 1 in the pentathlon and No. 2 in the high jump in the USTFCCCA Individual Rankings. Schultz and Aliyah Whisby (No. 2 in the pentathlon) will form a potent one-two punch for the Bulldogs in the combined events throughout the season and should add to the program’s storied history.

Texas is ranked fourth to begin the season, its best preseason mark since 2016. The Longhorns already saw a blistering mark out of Julien Alfred in the 60 this season (7.18) and are hoping Georgia transfer Tara Davis leaves her mark in the long jump and 60 hurdles. Texas should also see a boost in the sprints from Kynnedy Flannel, who is ranked fourth in the USTFCCCA Individual Rankings in the 200 and 13th in the 60.

Texas A&M comes in ranked No. 5. The Aggies have an assortment of depth across each of the sprints, horizontal jumps and in the combined events. Syaira Richardson (400), Deborah Acquah (long jump) and LaJarvia Brown (triple jump) are all ranked in the top-5 of their respective events according to the USTFCCCA Individual Rankings. Texas A&M will also look for Tyra Gittens to make the next step in the pentathlon.

The next National TFRI will be released on Monday, January 27 and will continue all season long until the 2020 NCAA Division I Indoor Track & Field Championships, which will be held on March 13-14 in Albuquerque, New Mexico.