2022 NAIA Men’s Outdoor Track & Field Rating Index – Week 7
NEW ORLEANS – British Columbia, Southeastern (Fla.) and Indiana Tech remain as the top-3 teams, while the fourth and fifth spots change in Week 7 of the USTFCCCA NAIA Men’s Outdoor Track & Field National Rating Index (TFRI).
NAIA — Men's Outdoor Track & Field
This Week's National Top Five
1
British Columbia
British Columbia
2
Southeastern (Fla.)
Southeastern (Fla.)
3
Indiana Tech
Indiana Tech
4
Life (Ga.)
Life (Ga.)
5
The Master's (Calif.)
The Master's (Calif.)
All TFRI Reports
Top-ranked British Columbia holds onto the top spot yet again, making it the sixth-straight week the Thunderbirds top the national rankings. When you talk about dominance, you must recognize Rowan Hamilton. He’s been in a league of his own this outdoor season in the hammer, recording the top-14 throws in NAIA. He’s improved his national-leading mark each meet, recently achieving a personal best of 75.98m (249-3) at the Oregon Twilight last weekend. His throw also beats his NAIA all-time record and not only leads NAIA, but all collegians. Hamilton owns the top-11 all-time throws in NAIA, all recorded this season. On the running side, Tyler Dozzi won the 5000 meters (No. 2, 13:54.92) at the Portland Twilight, while Thomas Nobbs finished 11th (No. 8, 14:27.02), to pick up two top-10 marks.
The Fire of Southeastern (Fla.) stays at No. 2 for the sixth-straight week after wrapping up their final meet before nationals at Montreat. Eleven top-10 efforts carry this team as they seek to contend for a national team title in two weeks. Joseph Taylor contributes to four of the 11 marks, ranking inside the top five individually in the 100, 200 and 400, while also being the anchor on the third-ranked 4×100 relay team.
Indiana Tech remains at No. 3 after winning their ninth-straight team title at the WHAC Outdoor Championships. Shomari Somerville captured the triple jump crown with the nation’s sixth-best mark of 14.84m (48-8¼). The Warriors hold five top-10 marks, led by two national-leading marks in the 100 and 4×100, and two No. 2 efforts in the 400 and 4×400. Indiana Tech will compete at the University of St. Francis Fighting Chance Invite this weekend.
Life (Ga.) jumps up three spots into the fourth position in Week 7. The Running Eagles won the team title at the Mid-South Conference Championships last week. Phemelo Matlhabe has the team’s lone individual national-leading mark in the 200 (20.50) and is the anchor leg on the No. 1 4×400 relay (3:08.00). The Running Eagles have eight top-10 efforts.
The Master’s (Calif.) completes the top-5, falling one spot after not competing last week. The Mustangs will compete in their final meet before nationals this weekend at the Azusa Pacific Last Chance Invite. They remain with seven top-10 marks heading into this weekend.
Outside the top five, No. 7 Montreat (N.C.) climbed up four spots after competing on their home turf. The Cavaliers recorded the No. 7 4×800 relay (7:38.60). Three of the 4×800 athletes; Ruchen Blaauw (No. 6), Dylan Branch (No. 7) and Caleb Silver (No. 9) are ranked in the top-10 in the open 800. Montreat will head to the Lee University Last Chance Meet for one last shot before nationals.
Just two weeks remain until the start of the 2022 NAIA Outdoor Track & Field Championships that will be held in Gulf Shores, Ala., May 25-27.
