2021 NCAA DII Women’s Outdoor Track & Field Rating Index – Week 2
NEW ORLEANS – If you were hoping for a calm week, this isn’t it.
The latest edition of the NCAA Division II Women’s Outdoor Track & Field National Rating Index has changed drastically from a week ago, as released by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) on Tuesday. Only two teams of the 25 that make up the National TFRI remained steady in a week that evolved as competition ramped up.
West Texas A&M is back in the driver’s seat for the first time since Week 7 of the 2018 outdoor season. Following the Lady Buffs are No. 2 Grand Valley State, No. 3 Azusa Pacific, No. 4 Missouri Southern and No. 5 CSU Pueblo. This is the ThunderWolves first appearance in the top-5 by a long shot – their best billing was No. 11 in 2019.
NCAA Division II — Women's Outdoor Track & Field
This Week's National Top Five
1
West Texas A&M
West Texas A&M
2
Grand Valley State
Grand Valley State
3
Azusa Pacific
Azusa Pacific
4
Missouri Southern
Missouri Southern
5
CSU Pueblo
CSU Pueblo
All TFRI Reports
West Texas A&M moved up to the top of the National TFRI thanks to 12 new or improved top-10 nationally ranked performances at the Joe Meaker Classic and Multi. The Lady Buffs saw three improved national leading marks from Taylor Nelloms in the triple jump (13.12mw/43-½), Zada Swoopes in the shot put (16.87m/55-5¼) and the 4×100 (45.37c/45.25A). West Texas A&M also had three athletes take up residence in the top-6 in the 100: DeOndra Green (No. 3, 11.59c/11.56A); Leah Belfield (No. 5, 11.71c/11.68A); Alana Wilson (11.72c/11.69A).
The second-ranked Lakers picked up three new or improved season efforts that rank among the top-10 on the Descending Order List at the WKU Hilltopper Relays. Pacing the Lakers is Nicole Sreenan, as she clocked the national leading time in the 400 of 53.74. Jessica Eby improved her season best in the 400H (No. 4, 1:00.15), while Eby and Sreenan were both part of the No. 6 4×400 (3:49.24). Grand Valley State now has 15 top-10 nationally ranked marks and three national leaders.
Of the six top performances Azusa Pacific saw at the APU Invitational and Distance Carnival, five of them rank within the top-5 nationally. Already No. 1 in the pole vault from her performance a week earlier, Amanda Fassold improved her lead with a clearance of 4.27m (14-0). Jaylah Walker added two more top-5 efforts to her resume, this time in the 200 (No. 2, 23.75) and 400 (No. 3, 54.76). Adding to the Cougars’ haul is Jennifer Sandoval in the 5000 (No. 3, 16:01.41) and Mechaela Hyacynth in the 200 (No. 5, 23.99)
Missouri Southern stormed to the No. 4 spot with nine top-10 nationally ranked performances at the SBU Invite. The strongest event for the Lions is the javelin, as they have a 1-2 punch in Elizabeth Pomatto (No. 1, 51.70m/169-8) and Katelyn Mooney (No. 2, 49.66m/162-11). Adding No. 4 nationally ranked performances in the field is Kirsten Leisinger in the hammer throw (56.24m/184-6) and Claire Luallen in the long jump (6.13mw/20-1½). In the sprints, Jasmine Deckard paced the team with her strong double in the 200 (No. 3, 23.80w) and 100 (No. 7, 11.73w).
CSU Pueblo climbed into the No. 5 position after notching three top-5 nationally ranked efforts, bringing their total to six performances ranked among the top-5 on the season. The ThunderWolves duo of Yasmine Hernandez and Hailey Streff are ranked No. 2 (2:08.13c/2:08.56A) and No. 4 (2:09.28c/2:09.71A) in the 800 following their efforts at the Joe Meaker Classic and Multi. Jenna McKinley also registered the third best shot put this season at 14.85m/48-8¾).
Here are the rest of the top-10 teams in Week 2: No. 6 Angelo State, No. 7 Adams State, No. 8 Lewis, No. 9 Queens (N.C.) and No. 10 Texas A&M-Commerce.
The 2021 NCAA Division II Outdoor Track & Field Championships are set for May 27-29 in Allendale, Michigan, hosted by Grand Valley State.
