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

NEW ORLEANS – Welcome to the top, Azusa Pacific!
The Cougars will open up the season as the top-ranked team in the first installment of the NCAA Division II Women’s Outdoor Track & Field National Rating Index, as released by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) on Tuesday afternoon. This is the first time in program history Azusa Pacific is ranked No. 1 team in the National TFRI.
Less than one point behind in the computer rankings is No. 2 Grand Valley State, followed by No. 3 West Texas A&M, No. 4 Lewis and No. 5 Harding. Lewis and Harding also set program-bests in the outdoor rankings.
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Azusa Pacific has 12 top-10 nationally ranked efforts to start the outdoor season. Three athletes have national leading marks: Mechaela Hyacynth in the 100 (11.51); Jaylah Walker in the 100H (14.07); Amanda Fassold in the pole vault (4.20m/13-9¼). The aforementioned Walker is also ranked No. 2 in the 400H and Hyacynth is No. 4 in the 200. The Cougars have several other top-5 nationally ranked athletes in Nicole Warwick in the long jump (No. 3), Elle Alexander in the discus (No. 3), Chinenye Agina in the high jump (No. 4), Meagan Warwick in the 100H (No. 5). They also have a pair of ranked relays – the 4×100 (No. 2) and 4×400 (No. 5).
The second-ranked Lakers amassed 17 top-10 nationally ranked efforts through two weeks of competition. Of those 17 marks, 11 of them are ranked in the top-5 and include two national leaders: Jessica Gockley in the 10,000 (34:35.29); Judith Essemiah in the hammer (63.22m/207-5). Ellianne Kimes has the second best clearance in the pole vault, while Nicole Sreenan (200) and Klaudia O’Malley (1500) are ranked third in their respective events. Other top performers for the Lakers are Taryn Chapko (No. 4, 800), Kassidie Stimmel (No. 4, pole vault), Lynsey Amthor (No. 5, 10,000), Jessica Eby (No. 5, 400H), Angelica Floyd (No. 5, long jump) and Emma Richards (No. 5, discus).
West Texas A&M has multiple high quality marks as they boast 8 top-5 nationally ranked performances. Taylor Nelloms (triple jump, 12.93m/42-5¼) and Zada Swoopes (shot put, 16.76m/55-0) are national leaders in their respective events, along with having the top-ranked 4×100 (45.69c/45.57A). Adding to their haul of performances are Swoopes in the discus (No. 2), Florance Uwajeneza in the 5000 (No. 2), DeOndra Green (No. 3) and Leah Belfield (No. 4) in the 100, and Seselia Dala in the 5000 (No. 4).
The Flyers soared to the program’s highest national rankings thanks to 11 top-10 nationally ranked performances. Grace Harris has the fastest 400 of the season, clocking 55.02 earlier this season in February. Natasha Bernett adds the No. 2 performance in the 100H and Kylie Wymer is ranked No. 4 in the shot put. The Flyers also have the third fastest 4×100 of the year.
The Bisons stormed to a program-best ranking with 8 top-10 efforts on the Descending Order List. Darcy Sanford leads the team with her No. 1 ranking in the heptathlon with 4482 points. Adding strong performances for Harding are Kinga Szarzynska in the 800 (No. 3), Liz Fouts in the discus (No. 4), Anne-Noelle Clerima in the 400 (No. 5) and Sierra White in the pole vault (No. 5).
Here are the rest of the top-10 teams in Week 1: No. 6 CSU Pueblo, No. 7 Angelo State, No. 8 Fresno Pacific, No. 9 Lee (Tenn.) and No. 10 Texas A&M-Commerce.
The 2021 NCAA Division II Outdoor Track & Field Championships are set for May 27-29 in Allendale, Michigan, hosted by Grand Valley State.