2023 NCAA DII Women’s Outdoor Track & Field Rating Index – Week 2
NEW ORLEANS – Here is Week 2 of the NCAA Division II Women’s Outdoor Track & Field National Rating Index, as released on Tuesday by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA). Only marks from the current season are being used, which gives an objective look at those teams who are looking to contend as we head into the beginning of this outdoor season.
NCAA Division II — Women's Outdoor Track & Field
This Week's National Top Five
1
Grand Valley State
Grand Valley State
2
West Texas A&M
West Texas A&M
3
Azusa Pacific
Azusa Pacific
4
Academy of Art
Academy of Art
5
Pittsburg State
Pittsburg State
All TFRI Reports
Grand Valley State retains their spot at the top of the TFRI in Week 2. The Lakers have three top-ranked individuals: Klaudia O’Malley in the 1500 (4:19.43), Margaret Stevenson (49.76m/163-3), and Judith Essemiah (63.57m/208-7). They add eight top-5 athletes, including Taryn Chapko: third in the 800 (2:08.41) and 1500 (4:23.45), Natalie Graber, third in the steeplechase (10:24.54), and Emma Richards, second in discus (49.69m/163-0).
West Texas A&M rises one spot to snag the No. 2 spot in Week 2. The Buffs feature four national leaders. On the field, Brooke Urban leads the nation in the high jump (1.71mA/5-7¼), and Taylor Nelloms leads the nation in the triple jump (13.29mw/43-7¼). On the track, Eleonora Curtabbi is the national leader in the steeplechase (10:02.60), while Florance Uwajeneza’s 5000 effort (16:07.13) puts her in the No. 1 position. The Buffs also feature a pair of national No. 2 relays, their 4×100 (44.90) and their 4×400 (3:39.96).
Azusa Pacific drops one spot to No. 3 in Week 2 of the TFRI. The sole national leader for the Cougars is Jaylah Walker, who holds the No. 1 spot in the 400 hurdles with a 59.52, in addition to the No. 3 spot in the 100 hurdles (13.89w). They add three other top-5 individual performances: Esther Conde-Turpin in the 100 hurdles (13.60), Alayna Verner in the 400 (53.87), and Molly Olson in javelin (45.93m/150-8). Their 4×400 relay holds down the No. 3 spot (3:41.99), while their 4×100 team holds fifth (45.83).
Academy of Art joins the national top-5 for the first time this season. They own a national-leading 4×100 relay team (44.82), featuring Britney Clark, Darria Matthias, Alicia Thomas, and Selena Arjona-Alcazar. They also feature an individual national leader in Marie-Jeanne Ourega, No. 1 in long jump (6.30m/20-8), No. 2 in triple jump (12.81m/41-0½), and No. 4 in the 100 hurdles (13.91).
Pittsburg State holds down the No. 5 spot in Week 2 after a 13-spot jump. The Gorillas were led this past weekend by Erica Schamel, who ascended to the top of the Descending Order List in the high jump at 1.71m (5-7¼). Schamel is one of five top-10 athletes for Pittsburg State.
Here are the rest of the top-10 teams in the Week 1 TFRI: No. 6 Central Missouri, No. 7, Angelo State, No. 8 Cal Poly Pomona, No. 9 Missouri Southern and No. 10 Colorado School of Mines.
As the season progresses, teams are keeping an eye on May 25-27, as they begin to prepare for the 2023 NCAA DII Outdoor Track & Field Championships at the CSU Pueblo ThunderBowl in Pueblo, Colorado.
