2021 NCAA DII Women's Indoor Track & Field Rating Index – Week 1

NEW ORLEANS – Grand Valley State is no stranger to being at the top.
After a strong start to the season, the Lakers will be ranked No. 1 in first 2021 NCAA Division II Women’s Indoor National TFRI of the season, released by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) on Tuesday afternoon. This is the ninth straight week Grand Valley State has been the No. 1 team since the preseason rankings last year.
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Central Missouri begins the season at No. 2 and is followed by No. 3 Minnesota State, No. 4 UC-Colorado Springs and No. 5 Lee (Tenn.). This is the highest ranking in program history for the Flames.
The Lakers have a total of 22 top-10 nationally ranked marks, including a plethora of top-performers across the board: Nicole Sreenan is No. 1 in the 60 (7.51), 200 (24.01) and 400 (53.47); Allie Ludge is No. 1 in the 3000 (9:28.96) and No. 2 in the mile (4:50.23); Judith Essemiah is No. 1 in the weight throw (19.15m/62-10); Taryn Chapko is No. 2 in the 800 (2:13.64); Klaudia O’Malley is No. 2 in the 3000; Emma Richards is No. 3 in the shot put (14.79m/48-6 ¼); Angelica Floyd  is No. 4 in the 60 (7.59); Hannah Roeske is No. 4 in the mile; Franesha Robinson-Mitchell is No. 5 in the weight throw (18.49m/60-8).
The Jennies have two athletes that sit atop the NCAA DII Descending Order List – Ashlan Burton in the shot put (15.50m/50-10 ¼) and Hannah VanBuskirk in the pentathlon (3866). VanBuskirk is also ranked No. 2 in the 60H (8.76), No. 3 in the high jump (1.74m/5-8 ½). Central Missouri has four other athletes that have top-5 performances this season: Madi Wulfekotter in the high jump (No. 2, 3.96m/12-11 ¾); Kayla Goodwin in the pentathlon (No. 2, 3790), 60H (No. 3, 8.77), long jump (No. 4, 5.84m/19-2) and triple jump (No. 5, 11.96m/39-3); Alisha Straws in the shot put (No. 4, 14.77m/48-5 ½).
The Mavericks have turned in 12 top-marks marks, including three that sit within the top-5 of their respective events: Mackenzie Keune is No. 1 in the 60H (8.63); Denisha Cartwright is No. 5 in the 60H (8.84); Mariah Williams is No. 5 in the long jump (5.82m/19-1 ¼).
Out of the eight top-10 marks UC-Colorado Springs holds, four athletes have combined for six top-5 performances: Hannah Meek is No. 2 in the triple jump (12.22m/40-1 ¼) and No. 3 in the long jump (5.85m/19-2 ½); Layla Almasri is No. 3 in the mile (4:50.55c) and No. 4 in the 3000 (9:40.64c); Hannah Ellis is No. 4 in the 5000 (17:17.46c); Kayla Zink is No. 5 in the 60 (7.60c).
The Flames have nine performances that rank within the top-10 of their respective events, including five marks in the top-5 nationally within the distance events: Celine Ritter has the fastest mile of the season in 4:44.95 and is No. 5 in the 3000 (9:45.23); Toni Moore is No. 2 in the 5000 (17:11.54); Chloe Flora is No. 3 in the 3000 (9:39.56); Olivia McLain is No. 3 in the 5000 (17:14.91).
Here are the rest of the top-10 teams in Week 1: No. 6 Pittsburg State, No. 7 Southwest Baptist, No. 8 Northwest Missouri, No. 9 Augustana (S.D.) and No. 10 Northern State.
The 2021 NCAA Division II Indoor Track & Field Championships are scheduled for March 12-13 at the Crossplex in Birmingham, Alabama.