2024 NAIA Women’s Indoor Track & Field Rating Index – Week 5
NEW ORLEANS – Just like clockwork, Indiana Tech is No. 1 again in the NAIA Women’s Indoor National Track & Field Rating Index (TFRI), as the Week 5 (pre-championships) edition was released Wednesday by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA).
National TFRI is presented by AthleticNET. Only marks from the current season are used in this objective ranking.
With almost all regular season action completed, attention now shifts to the 2024 NAIA Indoor Track & Field Championships, scheduled for February 29-March 2 at Dakota State’s Sanford-Jackrabbit Athletic Complex in Brookings, South Dakota.
NAIA — Women's Indoor Track & Field
This Week's National Top Five
1
Indiana Tech
Indiana Tech
2
William Carey (Miss.)
William Carey (Miss.)
3
Concordia (Neb.)
Concordia (Neb.)
4
Central Methodist (Mo.)
Central Methodist (Mo.)
5
Cumberlands (Ky.)
Cumberlands (Ky.)
All TFRI Reports
The streak at No. 1 in the national ratings is now at 41 for Indiana Tech. The Warriors are three-time defending NAIA Indoor champions and prepped last week by winning the WHAC Championships. Indiana Tech has 15 top-10 marks, with 13 of those ranking among top-5 and seven leading the nation: Lisa Voyles in the 1000 meters (2:48.83) and mile (4:50.44), current M-F Athletic National Athlete of the Week Jamaya Warthen in the 60 (7.34), Soyinne Grenyion in the 400 (54.10), Evelyn Dolce in the pole vault (3.95m/12-11½) and the 4×400 relay (3:44.75).
Nos. 2 and 3 flip-flopped for the fifth time in five weeks.
William Carey (Miss.) is back at No. 2. The Crusaders have yet to win the NAIA Indoor title but have been top-3 the last four years (third last year after three-straight runner-up finishes). After winning the SSAC Championships last week by over 100 points, the have 16 top-10 marks (most in the nation) with three national leaders: Machaeda Linton in the long jump (5.99m/19-8) and triple jump (12.71m/41-8½) and Salieci Myles in the 60 hurdles (8.32).
No. 3 Concordia (Neb.) has been top-10 at the NAIA Indoor Championships every year since 2017, with a best finish of third in 2022 and 2021. The Bulldogs won the GPAC Championships last week and have 11 top-10 marks, led by their nation-leading 4×800 team (9:08.93).
Central Methodist (Mo.) continues its season-long presence at No. 4, their highest-ever national ranking. The Eagles, who finished third in a competitive The Heart of America Conference last week, have eight top-10 marks led by a pair who rate No. 2 nationally: Baylee Beard in the shot put (14.99m/49-2¼) and Renee Finke in the pentathlon (3591).
No. 5 is the highest-ever ranking for Cumberlands (Ky.), who are in that position for a third-straight week. The Patriots’ last top-25 finish at the NAIA Indoor was 23rd in 2021. Cumberlands won the Mid-South Conference title last week by over 100 points five top-10 marks (all in the top-5) with two national leaders: Alina Boshchuk in the 5000 (16:58.76) and Heather Durrant in the 3000 racewalk (13:15.14).
Every remaining position in the top-10 changed positions in the national TFRI: No. 6 Marian (Ind.), No. 7 Cumberland (Tenn.), No. 8 Taylor (Ind.), No. 9 Milligan (Tenn.) and No. 10 Dickinson State (N.D.).
