2023 NAIA Men’s Outdoor Track & Field Rating Index – Week 5
We are another week closer to the 2023 NAIA Outdoor Track & Field Championships.
Three of the top-5 NAIA men’s teams held steady in the National TFRI, including No. 1 Southeastern (Fla.) and No. 2. British Columbia. Life (Ga.) was able to move up to No. 3, while Keiser (Fla.) was the only other team in the top-10 to stay put at their current spot. The Master’s (Calif.) rounds out the top-5 of the NAIA Men’s Track and Field Rating Index for the fifth week.
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
Life (Ga.)
Life (Ga.)
4
Keiser (Fla.)
Keiser (Fla.)
5
The Master's (Calif.)
The Master's (Calif.)
All TFRI Reports
Once again, it is the Fire of Southeastern (Fla.) in the driver’s seat in the NAIA ranks. Leading the way is Keishon Franklin, who represents the only top-ranked athlete for the Fire with his 400-meter time of 46.23, as well as a share in two second-ranked relay teams (40.35 for the 4x100m, and 3:11.26 for the 4x400m). The 110-meter hurdles are another area in which the Fire are particularly strong, with Davonte Vanderpool and Darion Carter ranking second (13.92) and fourth (13.99) in that event, respectively. Carter also ranks seventh in the 400H (52.91).
Second-ranked British Columbia didn’t budge from Week 4. While they did not have a meet last week, it is the Thunderbirds’ distance crew that leads the charge, as they continue to be led by the 1-2 steeplechase contingent of Dylan Uhrich (8:52.31) and Aiden Miller (9:14.51). The distance crew also has second-ranked performances in the 5000 meters (John Perrier, 14:05.97), and the 5000-meter racewalk (Tyler Wilson, 22:26.27). Distance events are not the only area in which the Thunderbirds thrive, as Rowan Hamilton (75.77m/248-7) and Matthew Uliana (63.98m/209.11) make up the team’s second 1-2 duo respectively, this time in the hammer throw.
Moving up two spots from last week, Life (Ga.) got the No. 3 spot by thriving in a variety of running events. It can be said that Phemelo Matlhabe is one of the fastest young men in the NAIA, as he owns the third-ranked time in the 100 meters (10.28), the second-ranked time in the 200 meters (20.56), and owns a share in the Running Eagles’ top-ranked 4x400m relay squad (3:09.60), the latter two of which were run this past weekend at the Southern States Athletic Conference Championships. The 400 meters is another event in which the team looks very strong, led by the 2-3-7 barrage of Jacob Ulrich (47.02), Ngoni Chadyiwa (47.32), and Daniel Williams (47.53).
The only non-top-2 team to stay put this week, Keiser (Fla.) continues to look strong heading into the final month of the season. Cole Wilson staked his claim as the best all-around athlete in the NAIA earlier this month, as his decathlon performance of 6785 points represents the Seahawks’ only top-ranked effort. His teammate Nigel Steenwinkel is not far behind, coming in fourth with 6555 points. Melvin Johnson leads the way on the track, ranking seventh in the 100 (10.36) and owning a share in the Seahawks’ sixth-ranked 4x100m relay (40.75). Aside from the decathlon, the pole vaulters are also making an argument for the Seahawks’ top event group, with Emil Carlsson (5.05m/16-6¾) and Tom Paris (4.90m/16-¾) ranking second and fourth in the event, respectively.
As has been the case all season, The Master’s (Calif.) is led by a large herd of distance runners, and a top-ranked pole vaulter (Caleb Pouliot, 5.20m/17-¾). Davis Boggess paves the way for the Mustang distance group, coming in third in two events (1500 in 3:47.86 and 5000 in 14:07.74), and fourth in another (4x800m relay, 7:41.81). The Mustangs might just have the strongest 5000-meter group in the nation, as Daniel Rush (14.24.88), Brint Laubach (14:32.14), and Hunter Romine (14:34.37) all make up a 5-7-8 trio right behind Boggess. Laubach also ranks fifth in the 10,000 meters (30:34.30).
Rounding out the top-10 NAIA men’s squads are Marian (Ind.) at No. 6, Indiana Tech at No. 7, Indiana Wesleyan at No. 8, Cumberland (Tenn.) at No. 9, and Westmont (Calif.) at No. 10.
Mark your calendar for May 24-26, because that’s when the 2023 NAIA Outdoor Track & Field Championships will be held in Marian, Indiana.
