2023 NJCAA Women’s Indoor Track & Field Rating Index – Week 2
NEW ORLEANS – T-Birds are flying high in the Week 2 edition of the 2023 NJCAA Women’s Indoor National Track & Field Ratings Index (TFRI), released Wednesday by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA). Only marks from the current season are used in this objective ranking.
“T-Birds” is the mascot for the two top programs.
NJCAA — Women's Indoor Track & Field
This Week's National Top Five
1
New Mexico JC
New Mexico JC
2
Cloud County (Kan.) CC
Cloud County (Kan.) CC
3
Iowa Western CC
Iowa Western CC
4
Barton (Kan.) CC
Barton (Kan.) CC
5
South Plains (Texas)
South Plains (Texas)
All TFRI Reports
New Mexico JC remains No. 1, improving its lead to over 180 points. The T-Birds from the Land of Enchantment are taking aim at moving up from last year’s runner-up finish at the NJCAA Indoor Championships. NMJC tallies 27 top-10 marks, with 13 rating either No. 1 or No. 2 in the nation. Two athletes own a pair of No. 1 marks – Deshana Skeete in the 200 (23.95) and 400 (54.40) and Calisha Taylor in the 600 (1:31.45) and 800 (2:13.13). Also posting top marks are Letlhogonolo Magoro in the mile (5:07.60), Damaris Chewon in the 3000 (10:09.59) and the 4×400 relay team (which includes Skeete and Taylor) at 3:42.83.
The T-Birds of Cloud County (Kan.) CC moved up three positions to No. 2, their highest perch since Week 1 of last year. Cloud County has 12 top-10 marks, nine of which rate in the top-5, including national leaders Miracle Thompson – current M-F Athletic National Athlete of the Week – in the 60 hurdles (8.35) and Vanessa Mercera in the pentathlon (3523).
Dropping down a position to No. 3 is Iowa Western CC, two-time NJCAA indoor defending champions. The Reivers have 15 top-10 marks, with eight of them in the top-5 and two leading the nation. Those leaders include Mercy Biwott in the 5000 at 17:24.09 and Miracle Ailes in the high jump at 1.98m (6-1½), the latter representing an NJCAA indoor record.
Barton (Kan.) CC remains No. 4. The Cougars increased their number of top-10 marks to 16, with seven in the top-5 and two leading the country – Kelsie Murrell-Ross in the shot put at 15.76m (51-8½) and Efe Latham in the weight throw at 16.57m (54-4½).
South Plains (Texas) is No. 5, two spots lower than last week. The Texans have 12 top-10 marks, seven of which are also in the top-5 led by national-leading times by Success Umukoro in the 60 (7.39) and the distance medley relay (12:31.85).
Rounding out the top-10 teams in the national TFRI are No. 6 Iowa Central CC, No. 7 College of Southern, No. 8 Central Arizona, No. 9 Fort Scott (Kan.) CC, and No. 10 Cowley (Kan.).
All teams have the target of March 3-4, which is when the 2023 NJCAA Indoor Track & Field Championships are scheduled at the Washburn Indoor Athletic Facility in Topeka, Kansas.
