2022 NCAA DII Men’s Outdoor Track & Field Rating Index – Week 3
NEW ORLEANS – Another week filled with a lot of changes.
Here is the third edition of the 2022 NCAA Division II Men’s Outdoor Track & Field National Rating Index released by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) on Tuesday. Only marks from the current season are being used, which gives a comprehensive, objective look at which teams have stood out during the season.
NCAA Division II — Men's Outdoor Track & Field
This Week's National Top Five
1
West Texas A&M
West Texas A&M
2
Texas A&M-Commerce
Texas A&M-Commerce
3
Pittsburg State
Pittsburg State
4
Grand Valley State
Grand Valley State
5
Central Missouri
Central Missouri
All TFRI Reports
Welcome to the top, West Texas A&M! For the first time in program history, the Buffs are the top-ranked team in the National TFRI during the outdoor season. The Buffs gained 10 new or improved national top-10 performances at home during the Jo Meaker Classic. Let’s start with Benjamin Azamati’s collegiate lead in the 200 of 20.13 that also matched his NCAA DII record. Six other performances reside in the top-5 of the Descending Order List: Jalen Purcell in the 100 (No. 3, 10.26cw); Jahmaal Wilson in the 110H (No. 2, 13.89c); Jeremiah Lauzon in the 200 (No. 2, 20.64cw); Butare Rugenerwa in the 800 (No. 2, 1:47.73c). West Texas A&M also has the second-best 4×100 relay this season that is No. 6 on the NCAA DII all-time chart.
Texas A&M-Commerce improved one spot to No. 2. The Lions hosted the East Texas Invitational and picked up four new or improved national top-10 efforts. Two of those came in the 200 as Delan Edwin (No. 3, 20.72) and J.T Smith (No. 8, 20.91) turned in strong efforts at home. Dodley Thermitus registered the third-best triple jump of the season (15.56mw/51-¾), while the Lions’ 4×400 relay turned in the ninth-fastest time of the season.
Pittsburg State climbed two spots to No. 3. Of the Gorillas’ six national top-10 marks collected this past weekend at the 14th Annual David Suenram/Gorilla Classic, four of them take up residence in the top-5 of the Descending Order List. Braylen Bewer is No. 2 in the 400 at 46.70, while Henry Kiner soared to No. 3 in the long jump at 7.58m (21-10½). Pittsburg State also had a pair of relays move up on the seasonal chart: the 4×100 relay is No. 3 at 40.12; the 4×400 relay is No. 2 at 3:09.50.
Grand Valley State fell three spots to No. 4 to no fault of its own. While the Lakers didn’t turn in any national top-10 marks, that could change this weekend as they are scheduled to compete at the Mt. SAC Relays and Kennesaw State Invitational.
Central Missouri jumped five spots from No. 10 in Week 2 to round out the top-5 in Week 3. The Mules had four national top-10 performances, including a new national lead in the pole vault by Reagan Ulrich (5.37m/17-7¼). Antonio Lay is ranked No. 2 in the 100 (10.25) and No. 5 in the 200 (20.80), while Parker Wormek is No. 4 in the 110H (14.02).
Here are the rest of the top-10 teams in Week 3: No. 6 Adams State (down two spots), No. 7 CSU Pueblo (down one spot), No. 8 Colorado School of Mines (held steady), No. 9 UC-Colorado Springs (up two spots) and No. 10 Missouri Southern (up six spots). The Lions made the jump thanks to four new or improved national top-10 marks, including two in the hammer throw by Josh Fulmer (No. 2, 62.47m/205-0) and Peyton Barton (No. 2, 60.29m/197-10).
Mark your calendars for May 26-28, because that’s when the 2022 NCAA Division II Outdoor Track & Field Championships will be held at Grand Valley State in Allendale, Michigan!
