2023 NCAA DII Women’s Indoor Track & Field Rating Index – Week 1
NEW ORLEANS – Track is back!
Here is the first edition of the NCAA Division II Women’s Indoor Track & Field National TFRI, as released on Tuesday by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA). No marks from previous seasons have been used, which means this objective list is compiled solely of current qualifying marks from the 2023 indoor track & field season.
NCAA Division II — Women's Indoor Track & Field
This Week's National Top Five
1
Minnesota State
Minnesota State
2
Grand Valley State
Grand Valley State
3
Northwest Missouri
Northwest Missouri
4
Pittsburg State
Pittsburg State
5
Azusa Pacific
Azusa Pacific
All TFRI Reports
Minnesota State, the defending national champions, stormed to the top of the National TFRI in Week 1. The Mavericks have 13 national top-10 performances across eight events. Let’s start with their four national-leading marks: Makayla Jackson in the 60 (7.29) and the long jump (6.35m/20-10); Denisha Cartwright in the 60H (8.07) to match the second-best performer in NCAA DII history; Lexie Hurst in the shot put (16.91m/55-5¾). Cartwright is also ranked No. 2 in both the 60 meters and 200 meters, while Jackson is ranked No. 7 in the 200 meters. Paige Hickson (pole vault), Flore Gracia (triple jump) and Lillian Washington (triple jump) also boast top-5 performances in their respective events.
Grand Valley State finds itself ranked second to start the season. The Lakers have 12 national top-10 marks through the first few weeks of the season, including one national-leading mark from Judith Eddemiah in the weight throw at 20.26m (66-5¾). Grand Valley State’s strength has been in the distance races, with their biggest haul coming in the 5000 meters as five athletes are ranked in the top-9. Natalie Graber and Lauren Kiley lead that group ranked No. 2 and No. 3, respectively. Kaludia O’Malley (3000 meters), Abby Vanderkooi (5000 meters) and Emma Richards (shot put) are also ranked in the top-5 in their respective events.
Northwest Missouri sits in third to match its program-best billing. The Bearcats have turned in 11 national top-10 performances on the track, including the top-ranked 4×400 relay of Kennedi Cline, Chloe Saenz, Luisarys Toledo and Tiffany Hughey at 3:44.37. In addition to the top-ranked relay, Hughey is also ranked second in the 400 and fourth in the 200, while Toledo is ranked third in the 400 and Caroline Cunningham is third in the mile. Northwest Missouri has multiple athletes ranked in the top-9 in the 400 meters (3), 800 meters (3) and 200 meters (2).
Pittsburg State will start the year in fourth. The Gorillas have seven national top-10 marks. Audreanae Hagan (60-meter hurdles), Erica Schamel (high jump), Allary Liberatore (high jump), Kyla Davis (pole vault) and Auna Childress (triple jump) are all ranked in the top-5 of their respective events. Hagan is tops with the second-fastest time of the year in the 60-meter hurdles at 8.40.
Azusa Pacific comes in at fifth behind eight national top-10 marks. The pentathlon is the highest scoring event for the Cougars, as Nicole Warwick (No. 1, 4011) and Alysa Henry (No. 2, 3957) sit at the top of the Descending Order List. Warwick is also ranked fourth in the long jump and seventh in the 60-meter hurdles. Esther Condre-Turpin is another top performer for Azusa Pacific as she sits third in the 60-meter hurdles.
Here are the rest of the top-10 teams in Week 1: No. 6 Lincoln (Mo.), No. 7 Adams State, No. 8 Winona State, No. 9 Academy of Art and No. 10 West Texas A&M.
Mark your calendars for March 10-11, as that’s when the 2023 NCAA DII Indoor Track & Field Championships will be held at the Virginia Beach Sports Center in Virginia Beach, Virginia.
