2021 NCAA DII Women’s Outdoor Track & Field Rating Index – Week 7
NEW ORLEANS – What transpired from the bulk of contested conference championships made its way into the most recent installment of the NCAA Division II Women’s Outdoor Track & Field National Rating Index, released by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) on Tuesday.
NCAA Division II — Women's Outdoor Track & Field
This Week's National Top Five
1
Azusa Pacific
Azusa Pacific
2
Grand Valley State
Grand Valley State
3
West Texas A&M
West Texas A&M
4
Adams State
Adams State
5
Missouri Southern
Missouri Southern
All TFRI Reports
Azusa Pacific continued to hold down the top spot, followed by No. 2 Grand Valley State and No. 3 West Texas A&M.
The second-ranked Lakers captured the program’s 21st consecutive GLIAC title with 248 points. Three Lakers turned in season bests that sit in the top-10 of the Descending Order List: Kayce Rypma in the steeplechase (No. 9, 10:41.29); Taryn Chapko in the 800 (No. 10, 2:09.97); Carly Livingston in the pole vault (No. 10, 4.05m/13-3½).
The third-ranked Lady Buffs claimed the Lone Star Conference crown for the third straight year with 290 points. The triple jump was the biggest point grabber on the national scene as three athletes sit within the top-10 on the Descending Order List. Taylor Nellums led the trio as she took over the national lead with a jump of 13.52mw (44-4¼), followed by Miriam Zanovello (No. 4, 12.92mw/42-4¾) and Flore Gracia (No. 9, 12.54mw/41-1¾). Not to be outdone, Zada Swoopes continued her dominance in the shot put and landed the No. 2 mark all-time in NCAA DII with a heave of 17.71m (58-1¼).
No. 4 Adams State and No. 5 Missouri Southern traded places from Week 6 for the only change among the top-5 teams.
Eilish Flanagan moved her national lead in the steeplechase to 9:40.68 at the Oregon Twilight Meet to lead the Grizzlies. Her time shattered the NCAA DII record of 9:47.72 set by Alicja Konieczek in 2018. Roisin Flanagan also clocked the top time in the nation this season in the 5000 at 15:47.81, making her the seventh-best performer in DII history.
The Lions had three athletes notch season best efforts that rank well on the national scene en route to their first MIAA title since 2010. Elizabeth Pomatto and Claire Luallen each improved upon their respective billings. Pomatto’s national lead in the javelin now sits at 52.57m (172-6), while Luallen is ranked fourth in the long jump with a distance of 6.17mw (20-3). Jasmine Deckard moved up to No. 5 on the Descending Order List with her 11.55w in the 100.
Here are the rest of the top-10 teams in Week 7: No. 6 Saginaw Valley State, No. 7 Angelo State, No. 8 Minnesota State, No. 9 Lewis and No. 10 Academy of Art.
The 2021 NCAA Division II Outdoor Track & Field Championships are set for May 27-29 at Grand Valley State.
