2023 NCAA DIII Women’s Indoor Track & Field Rating Index – Week 7
NEW ORLEANS – Let’s get this party started!
Here is the Pre-Championships Edition of the NCAA DIII Women’s Indoor Track & Field National Rating Index for the 2023 season, as released on Tuesday by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA). Only marks from those athletes qualified for the upcoming NCAA Championships have been used, which means this is an objective look at what teams have the best chance at contending for national titles this weekend.
NCAA Division III — Women's Indoor Track & Field
This Week's National Top Five
1
UW-La Crosse
UW-La Crosse
2
Washington (Mo.)
Washington (Mo.)
3
Loras
Loras
4
Chicago
Chicago
5
Williams
Williams
All TFRI Reports
UW-La Crosse is a heavy favorite to win its second national title in program history. The Eagles flock to the Birmingham CrossPlex with a gender-high 21 entries – ten of which reside among the nation’s top-5 performances. UW-La Crosse could have multiple scorers in three different events: 60-meter hurdles (x2), 200 meters (x3) and the high jump (x3). Emma Lawrence made the most of the Last Chance Weekend with a huge PR in the 60H of 8.40, which moved her up to No. 2 all-time in NCAA DIII history. Lawrence was also a member of the Eagles’ 4×400 relay that took over the national lead with its 3:45.87 clocking.
Washington (Mo.) might only have 12 entries, but the quality of those entries has the program ranked second. The Bears, who last won a national title in 2017, land nine of their 12 entries among the nation’s top-10 performances. Emma Kelley will be a driving force for WashU at the NCAA Championships, as she’s the top-ranked athlete in the 800 at 2:08.29 and is a member of both the second-ranked DMR and the third-ranked 4×400 relay.
Defending national champion Loras enters the meet ranked third. Seven of the Duhawks’ 12 entries into the NCAA Championships rank among the nation’s top-5 performances. Grace Alley could score big points for Loras in Birmingham, as she’s ranked second in the pentathlon, third in the triple jump and eighth in the high jump. Look out for freshman Caitlyn Cox in the weight throw, as the first-year athlete is ranked second nationally at 18.77m (61-7).
UChicago should be in contention for a podium spot this weekend thanks to its litany of entries. The Maroons bring 20 entries with them to the Yellowhammer State, which includes one national-leading effort from the DMR. Otherwise, only eight of UChicago’s remaining 19 entries are among the national top-10. Therefore, the Maroons need athletes to step up in a big way this weekend, if they’re hoping to not only make the podium, but contend for the title.
Williams jumped ten spots from Week 6 to Week 7 thanks to its efforts over Last Chance Weekend. Blakeley Buckingham and Lucy Gagnon are now both ranked among the national top-6 in the mile, while Morgan Nasir soared into the national top-5 in the long jump. Every point will matter for the Ephs, who have won two national titles at this meet – most recently in 2019.
Here are the rest of the top-10 teams in the Pre-Championships Edition: No. 6 Johns Hopkins, No. 7 Mount Union, No. 8 Tufts, No. 9 Wartburg and No. 10 SUNY Geneseo.
