USTFCCCA News & Notes
By Howard Willman, USTFCCCA March 3, 2022   

Meet Preview: 2022 NJCAA Indoor T&F Championships

NEW ORLEANS – The 2022 NJCAA Indoor Track & Field Championships return to Pittsburg State’s Robert W. Plaster Center this weekend, and the men’s edition marks a 50th annual version while the women host their 43rd.

From The USTFCCCA InfoZone: National Championships Central

It’s the second year in a row – and fourth in the last six years – for the NJCAA title meet’s being held at Pittsburg State. Action is set for Friday beginning at 9 a.m. CT in the combined events with track events starting at 1:30 p.m. Saturday’s slate has a 9:30 a.m. start for combined events and opening ceremonies at noon with track events following. Team awards are scheduled for presentation on Saturday at 4:30 p.m.

South Plains (Texas) handily won last year’s men team crown by 45 points and joins defending women’s team champion Iowa Western CC as No. 1 in the most recent USTFCCCA TFRI Ratings. The Texans have been there all season long, while the Reivers overtook previous No. 1 (and 2020 champion) New Mexico JC early last month for the top spot.

Following South Plains in the most recent NJCAA TFRI ratings men’s top-5 are Iowa Western CC, Iowa Central CC, Indian Hills (Iowa) CC and Barton (Kan.) CC, while women’s top-5 (after Iowa Western and New Mexico) is completed by Cloud County (Kan.) CC, Barton and South Plains.

A select list of individuals have rated highly among the all-time best already this year, led by 1000-meter NJCAA record setter Prince Mcabelo of Monroe-New Rochelle (N.Y.) (2:22.10). A trio of athletes moved to No. 3 all-time – Caleb Jackson of Butler (Kan.) CC in the 60 at 6.58, Adrian Diaz-Lopez of Cowley (Kan.) in the 3000 at 8:01.33 and Thomas Nieto of South Plains in the pole vault at 5.31m (17-5).

Leading women’s performances during the year came from Miracle Ailes of Iowa Western in the high jump at 1.80m (5-10¾) – good for a share of No. 4 all-time – while Aaliyah Moore of Monroe-New Rochelle moved to No. 5 in the 1000 (2:51.52) and Kimeone McLeod of New Mexico JC rated No. 6 all-time at 8.35 in the 60 hurdles.

Check back on Saturday for a full recap of the action!