2020 NCAA DI Men’s Indoor Track & Field Rating Index – Week 4
NEW ORLEANS – One race can change the complexion of a season.
At least that’s what happened when the most recent NCAA Division I Men’s Indoor Track & Field National Rating Index was released on Monday by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA).
NCAA Division I — Men's Indoor Track & Field
This Week's National Top Five
1
Northern Arizona
Northern Arizona
2
LSU
LSU
3
Florida
Florida
4
Texas
Texas
5
Oregon
Oregon
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Behind an absolutely sensational and historic run by three of its athletes this past weekend at the Boston University David Hemery Valentine Invitational, Northern Arizona soared nine spots into the driver’s seat. This is the first time in program history that the Lumberjacks have been ranked No. 1 during the indoor season.
If you can’t tell by now, the top-5 looks completely different than it did last time out. That’s because we removed all marks from previous seasons and are only using those from the current campaign. With that being said, former No. 1 Florida State, former No. 3 Southern California and former No. 5 Texas A&M dropped out of the top-5, making room for new No. 3 Florida and new No. 5 Oregon.
NAU has turned the BU Track & Tennis Center into its own personal playground this season. Less than one month ago, Tyler Day became the third fastest performer in collegiate history in the 5000. Fast forward a few weeks and Day returned to the site of his greatest race yet and brought a few teammates with him. Needless to say, the Lumberjack trio turned heads as Luis Grijalva, Geordie Beamish and Day all cracked the all-time top-15 in the 3000. Grijalva won the race and went 7:43.73 for No. 6, Beamish finished in 7:44.67 for No. 7 and Day came in at 7:45.70 for No. 12.
LSU was the only team in the top-5 that held steady. The second-ranked Tigers own eight top-10 marks this season, including the collegiate lead in the 200 from Terrance Laird at 20.43. LSU also has two of the top-3 athletes in the long jump with JuVaughn Harrison sitting No. 2 at 8.11m (26-7¼) and former national leader Rayvon Grey in the No. 3 spot at 8.09m (26-6½).
Florida finds itself right in the thick of things thanks to a well-rounded approach. The Gators have a collegiate leader in Raymond Ekevwo (60) and also have top-10 marks in five other events, including the No. 3 spot in the weight throw thanks to Thomas Mardal’s heave of 22.75m (74-7¾).
Texas dropped one spot from No. 3 to No. 4, but is well positioned with a host of top-10 marks. Micaiah Harris and Jonathan Jones have led the Longhorns so far with the No. 2 marks nationally in the 200 and 400, respectively. Texas is also home to the fourth-ranked Distance Medley Relay, which features several strong milers.
Speaking of DMRs, the fifth-ranked Ducks have the best quartet in collegiate history. It was last month at the Razorback Invitational where Oregon shattered the collegiate record in the DMR with its time of 9:24.52. The Ducks have a near four-second lead over the rest of the nation at the moment. Oregon also has athletes ranked in the top-10 of the mile, 3000 (x2), 5000 and triple jump.
Outside of NAU, the biggest mover in the top-10 in Week 4 was Tennessee, coming in at No. 9 for its best ranking since 2016. The Volunteers are situated behind No. 6 Georgia, No. 7 Florida State and No. 8 Iowa State and in front of No. 10 Southern California.
You already know the Tennessee has the best high jumper in the nation. After all, Darryl Sullivan matched the fourth best performer in collegiate history earlier this season and is within striking distance of the collegiate record. But did you know the Volunteers also have one of the best horizontal jumpers as well? Well, now you do, because Carey McLeod owns the nation’s top mark in the long jump at 8.16m (26-9¼) and currently sits second in the triple jump at 16.68m (54-8¾).
There were three new additions to the top-25 in Week 4: No. 18 Virginia Tech, No. 19 Alabama and No. 24 Virginia. This is the best that the Cavaliers and the Hokies have been ranked in the past three years.
Be sure to check back next Monday as the National Rating Index continues to evolve as we head to the 2020 NCAA Division I Indoor Track & Field Championships set for March 13-14 in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
