2023 NAIA Men’s Outdoor Track & Field Rating Index – Week 4
NEW ORLEANS — For the fourth time this outdoor track and field season, we have a batch of rankings for you.
As was the case last week, the teams ranked at the top from the previous week were similar, with the rest of the rankings changing across the board after that. But unlike last week, it was all five of the top teams that stayed the same from last week in this week’s version of the NAIA Men’s Outdoor Track & Field Rating Index. Southeastern (Fla.) held steady at No. 1 this week, as did British Columbia at No. 2, The Master’s (Calif.) at No. 3, Keiser (Fla.) at No. 4, and Life (Ga.) at No.5.
Only marks from the current outdoor track and field season have been used in this objective compilation.
NAIA — Men's Outdoor Track & Field
This Week's National Top Five
1
Southeastern (Fla.)
Southeastern (Fla.)
2
British Columbia
British Columbia
3
The Master's (Calif.)
The Master's (Calif.)
4
Keiser (Fla.)
Keiser (Fla.)
5
Life (Ga.)
Life (Ga.)
All TFRI Reports
Southeastern (Fla.) sits atop the NAIA for the fourth time in as many weeks. Their sixteen top-10 rankings lead the NAIA, ten of which land inside the top-5. While the Fire did not have a meet this week, they continue to be led by Keishon Franklin’s two No. 1 rankings in the 400 meters (46.23), as well as a part of a 4×400 relay (3:11.26). Franklin is also ranked ninth in the 200 meters (21.08) and owns another share in a highly-ranked relay team as well (4×100 relay, 40.35, second).
Remaining constant as the second-ranked NAIA squad is British Columbia. All the Thunderbirds’ top success was found in the throwing and distance events, led in part by Rowan Hamilton’s top-ranked hammer throw (75.77m/248-7) at the Pacific Coast Invitational over the weekend. Dylan Uhrich’s top-ranked steeplechase mark came just down the road in California, running an 8:52.31 at the Bryan Clay Invitational. One can call British Columbia “Steeple U,” as Aiden Miller sits right behind him in the same event in a second-ranked time of 9:14.51. One could also call the school “Hammer Throw U,” as Matthew Uliana sits in second behind Hamilton in the event with a throw of 63.98m (209.11).
Once again landing in the third position is The Master’s (Calif.) As has been the case all season, the Mustangs’ backbone has been their distance crew, led in part by Davis Boggess in the 1500 meters and the 5000 meters, both events of which he is ranked third in (3:47.86 and 14:07.74 respectively). TMU also features the second-best 4×800 relay nationally. Coincidentally, as has been the case all season to this point, the Mustangs’ only non-distance top-10 athlete happens to be their only top-ranked athlete, as Caleb Pouliot remains the NAIA’s top dog in the pole vault with his leap of 5.20m (17-0¾).
Coming in at No. 4 for the second week in a row is Keiser (Fla.). Besides sprinter Melvin Johnson’s three top-10 marks in the 100 (10.36, sixth), 200 (21.05), and 4×100 relay (40.75, fifth), all the rest of the Seahawks’ top-10 performances have field events involved. That proves to be half true for decathlete Cole Wilson, as his top-ranked performance of 6785 points makes him the top-ranked athlete in that multi. His teammate, Nigel Steenwinkel, is not far behind, as Steenwinkel ranks third in the event, having accumulated 6555 points.
Rounding out the top-5 this week are the Running Eagles of Life (Ga.). On top of the team’s top-ranked 4×100 relay (3:11.26), the Running Eagles are also ranked highly in several other events, including second-ranked efforts by Phemelo Matlhabe (100, 10.28) and Jacob Ulrich (400, 47.02) respectively. Three-tenths of a second behind Ulrich in the 400 is Ngoni Chadyiwa, who sits third (47.32).
Rounding out the top-10 teams in Week 4 are Indiana Tech at No. 6, Marian (Ind.) at No. 7, Cumberland (Tenn.) at No. 8, Westmont (Calif.) at No. 9, and Indiana Wesleyan at No. 10.
We are just over a month away from the 2023 NAIA Outdoor Track & Field Championships, which will be held May 24-26 in Marian, Indiana.
