2021 NCAA DIII Men's Indoor Track & Field Rating Index – Week 1

NEW ORLEANS – There have been 27 different teams in NCAA Division III Men’s Indoor Track & Field that have recorded marks during the 2021 season thus far.
None of those teams have turned in a better combination of performances than Wartburg. That’s why the Knights are ranked No. 1 in the first installment of the NCAA Division III Men’s Indoor Track & Field National Rating Index, which was released on Tuesday by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA).
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Wartburg athletes have registered 14 marks that rank among the national top-10 this season, including multiples in the 60 (x2), 3000 (x2), 5000 (x3), 60H (x2) and triple jump (x2). When you look closer, you’ll see that those two marks in the 60H actually lead the nation with Dallas Wright and Deyton Love sitting at 8.16 and 8.29, respectively. Alec Ille and Joe Freiburger lead the nation in the 3000 and 5000, respectively, as well.
Hope sits second to begin the season with a plethora of notable marks across the board. The Flying Dutch own multiple top-10 marks in several events, notably the 400 (x2), 800 (x2), mile (x2), 3000 (x2) and pole vault (x2). Nick Hoffman, who was just named National Athlete of the Week, is ranked first nationally in the mile and third nationally in the 3000.
Third-ranked John Carroll has six top-5 marks this season. The Blue Streaks lead the nation in the 200 (Deven Ward) and 400 (Garrett Clark) with runner-up efforts in the 60 (Ward) and 5000 (Alex Phillip) to boot. Phillip is just one of five JCU athletes listed among the nation’s top-20 in the 5000.
Dubuque opened the season in a big way this past weekend and is ranked No. 4. The Spartans have 15 national top-10 marks, including multiples in the 200 (x2), 3000 (x2), 60H (x2), long jump (x2) and shot put (x2).
Bethel (Minn.) rounds out the top-5 in Week 1. The Royals are led by Jacob Parent, who is ranked second nationally in the 200 and also ran a leg on the second-ranked 4×400 relay. Gabe Irons also had his hand in two national top-10 marks, one in the shot and another in the weight.
Here are the rest of the top-10 teams in Week 1: No. 6 Hardin-Simmons, No. 7 Ohio Northern, No. 8 Rose-Hulman, No. 9 Wilmington (Ohio), No. 10 Lynchburg.