2023 NJCAA DI Men’s Outdoor Track & Field Rating Index – Week 7
NEW ORLEANS – Six changes affected the top-10 of the Week 7 edition of the 2023 NJCAA Division I Men’s Outdoor Track & Field National Track & Field Rating Index, which was released Wednesday by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA).
Only marks from the 2023 indoor and outdoor track & field seasons have been used in this objective compilation. This is final national TFRI of the year as the 2023 NJCAA Division I Outdoor Track & Field Championships run next Thursday-Saturday at New Mexico JC’s Ross Black Track in Hobbs, New Mexico.
NJCAA Division I — Men's Outdoor Track & Field
This Week's National Top Five
1
South Plains (Texas)
South Plains (Texas)
2
New Mexico JC
New Mexico JC
3
Iowa Western CC
Iowa Western CC
4
Barton (Kan.) CC
Barton (Kan.) CC
5
Cloud County (Kan.) CC
Cloud County (Kan.) CC
All TFRI Reports
None of the TFRI changes involved the top-2 as Region V rivals South Plains (Texas) and New Mexico JC remain 1-2 for the fourth week in a row. Interestingly, they were in the same order leading into the NJCAA Indoor Championships in March and left as co-champions.
South Plains has occupied the No. 1 spot in the national TFRI all season. The Texans – seeking a third-straight national team title and 14th dating back to 2007 – have six national leaders with Kimar Farquharson in the 800 (1:47.04), Justin Guy in the 110 hurdles (13.61), Caio Almeida in the 400 hurdles (50.91), Kudakwashe Chadenga in the high jump (2.26m/7-5), Nelvin Appiah-Konadu in the decathlon (6697) and the 4×800 relay (7:15.66). Almeida and Chadenga are defending champions.
New Mexico is this year’s host and will be seeking its first team crown in this meet since 1979 after reviving the sport two years ago (they also won the 1971 title). The T-Bird have three national leaders with Dalton Smith in the pole vault (4.98m/16-4) and Kelsey Daniel in the triple jump (15.98m/52-5¼) along with the 4×400 relay (3:02.68). NMJC’s Evans Pololet is defending champ in the 1500.
Iowa Western CC is No. 3 – its highest of the year – after winning the Region XI Championships. The Reivers were runner-up last year and have the top 10,000 runner in Jacinto Gaspar (29:29.29). In addition, Shakiel Dacres (discus) and Odayne Harris (javelin) return as defending champions.
Barton (Kan.) CC is No. 4 after winning the Region VI Championships. The Cougars were third last year after sharing the title in 2021 (they’ve six total going back to 1998). Barton has one national leader in javelin thrower Christopher Young (66.98m/219-9), who rates top-5 in all four throwing events.
Remaining No. 5 is Cloud County (Kan.) CC after a one-point loss to Barton in the Region VI Championships. The T-Birds – who won this meet in 2019 – have the nation’s top hammer thrower in defending champ Mohamed Ahmed (64.26m/210-10).
Completing the top-10 teams in the National TFRI are No. 6 Iowa Central CC, No. 7 Coffeyville (Kan.) CC, No. 8 Indian Hills (Iowa) CC, No. 9 Mesa (Ariz.) CC and No. 10 Cowley (Kan.). Coffeyville has three national-leading marks and Indian Hills has one.
