2021 NCAA DIII Men's Indoor Track & Field Rating Index – Week 3
NEW ORLEANS – The winds of change continue to sweep through the NCAA Division III Men’s Indoor Track & Field National Rating Index!
As more teams open up their season, we’re seeing more familiar faces among the nation’s elite; such is the case in the most recent installment, which was released on Tuesday by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA).
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Wartburg held steady at No. 1 for the third week in a row, but is followed by new No. 2 UW-Oshkosh. Loras fell one spot to No. 3 and is followed by new No. 4 UW-La Crosse and No. 5 John Carroll, which dropped two spots since Week 2.
The Knights continue to lead the National TFRI thanks to some incredible efforts this season. Just this past weekend, Wartburg strengthened its standing with five national top-5 marks: Derrick Smith in the 200 (No. 2, 21.85c), Wyatt Schmidt in the 800 (1:52.01c), Dalton Martin in the 800 (No. 3 (1:52.03c); Joe Freiburger in the 3000 (8:16.16c) and the DMR team, which is now ranked eighth nationally at 11:06.01.
The Titans debuted this past weekend in a big way. UW-Oshkosh notched 13 national top-10 marks, including a national leader in the 4×400 relay at 3:16.50c. Other top-5 marks were turned in by Jaylin Boatman and Jaylen Grant in the 60 at No. 2 (6.91) and No. 4 (6.94), respectively, Boatman and Aaron Richardson in the 200 at No. 4 (21.92c) and No. 5 (22.02c), respectively, Steven Potter in the 800 at No. 4 (1:52.12c), Andrew George in the mile at No. 5 (4:10.45c) and Richardson in the long jump at No. 3 (7.04m/23-1¼).
The Duhawks surely did their part to remain among the top-5 programs this past weekend. Loras got a national-leading mark from Mike Jasa in the 400 at 48.19c, which pairs well with his No. 1 mark in the 800 at 1:51.11c and Josh Smith’s national leader in the 60 at 6.88. Jasa and Smith are also members of the nation’s No. 2 4×400 relay at 3:19.15c.
The Eagles opened their season this past weekend to much fanfare. UW-La Crosse landed eight national top-10 marks, including four in the top-5 from Seth Holden in the 60 (No. 3, 6.92), Jake Sullivan in the 400 (No. 5, 49.21c), Michael Madoch in the mile (No. 3, 4:10.01c) and the 4×400 relay (No. 3, 3:20.07c).
The Blue Streaks might have fallen two spots to No. 5, but they’re still a formidable foe. John Carroll has eight national top-10 marks, including national-leading efforts from Garrett Clark in the 200 at 21.70c and the DMR team at 10:04.03.
Here are the rest of the top-10 teams in Week 3: No. 6 Central (Iowa), No. 7 Mount Union, No. 8 UW-Whitewater, No. 9 North Central (Ill.) and No. 10 UW-Stout.
Unfortunately, the 2021 NCAA Division III Indoor Track & Field Championships were canceled due to low participation numbers among division members. The meet was scheduled to be held from March 12-13 at the SPIRE Institute in Geneva, Ohio. We are still doing rankings until the end of the season, though.
