2020 NJCAA Women’s Indoor Track & Field Rating Index – Week 6
NEW ORLEANS – Everything at the top stayed the same in the final NJCAA Women’s Indoor Track & Field Rating Index that was released on Tuesday by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA).
That means the team battle will be very competitive at the NJCAA Indoor Track & Field Championships, which will be held Friday and Saturday in Lynchburg, Virginia. This is the 41st annual edition of the women’s championships.
NJCAA — Women's Indoor Track & Field
This Week's National Top Five
1
New Mexico JC
New Mexico JC
2
Barton (Kan.) CC
Barton (Kan.) CC
3
Iowa Central CC
Iowa Central CC
4
South Plains (Texas)
South Plains (Texas)
5
Cloud County (Kan.) CC
Cloud County (Kan.) CC
All TFRI Reports
New Mexico JC has been No. 1 all year. The Thunderbirds are targeting a return to the top of the team standings, a place they sat in 2017 and 2018, before finishing second last year. They look to be prominent in many events as they lead the nation in seven events – more than twice as many as any other program. Flomena Asekol leads three events individually (800, 1000 and mile) as well as being part of the distance medley relay team. Their other leaders are Demisha Roswell (60 hurdles), Victoria Villanueva (pole vault) and Susan Francis (long jump). Roswell and Villanueva will be looking to repeat as individual champions.
Defending champion Barton (Kan.) CC won a record 18th national championship last year and looks best positioned to give NMJC a challenge. The No. 2 Cougars have gotten stronger as the season has progressed, and they lead the country in the 400 with Christal Mosley, shot put with Fiona Richards and the 4×400 relay. Also, T’Nia Riley will be defending her title in the 200 (she is No. 5 this year in both the 60 and 200).
Just a few points down in the ratings is No. 3 Iowa Central CC, which like Barton has gotten stronger as the championships have gotten closer. The Tritons were fifth last year and didn’t race any relays, but this year have top-4 units in all three baton events. They have two national leaders in Eleonora Curtabbi (3000) and Lea Grady (weight throw), and they also return Florance Uwajeneza, who won the 5000 last year.
South Plains is a strong No. 4 and has also been gaining steam. The Lady Texans have three athletes leading the nation in Rosemary Chukwuma (60), Gladys Jemaiyo (5000) and Onaara Obamuwagun (triple jump), plus defending mile champ Dorcus Ewoi is among the top-5 in the mile, 800 and 600.
No. 5 in the ratings is Cloud County (Kan.) CC. The T-Birds lead the country in the 200 with Mercy Ntia-Obong and pentathlon with Maryse Mbenoun, and Anigbata Grace Chinonyelum won the triple jump last year.
No. 6 Monroe-New Rochelle (N.Y.) has two returning champions in Joanna Archer (800) and Faten Laribi (Monroe). Completing the top-10 are No. 7 Iowa Western CC, No. 8 Butler (Kan.) CC, No. 9 Bryant & Stratton (Va.) and No. 10 Cowley (Kan.).
