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

NEW ORLEANS – Let’s check out the first installment of the 2021 NCAA Division III Men’s Outdoor Track & Field National Rating Index, as released on Tuesday by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA).
To wit: We’re only using marks from the current season, which gives a true look at which teams are performing the best at the current moment. That means the National TFRI will continue to evolve throughout the season and gives you more reason to keep checking back!
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George Fox opens the season at No. 1, which is its highest ranking in program history by a long shot (The Bruins were previously ranked as high as No. 3 in 2018). Look no further than GFU’s 10 national top-10 marks in the first few weeks of the season. Three of those top-10 marks come in the decathlon, where Tayler Phillips (No. 2, 6520), Davis Smith (No. 3, 6464) and Si De Jong (No. 4, 6013) all reside in order in the top-5.
Mount Union sits No. 2 to begin the season, matching its best rank at this juncture (The Purple Raiders were also No. 2 in 2015). Out of the 10 national top-10 marks that Mount Union has, five of them sit among the top-5, including a national leader from Tanner Slack in the high jump at 2.06m (6-9). Lucas Cooper holds down the No. 2 spot in the discus at 48.87m (160-4), while A.J. Digby (No. 3, 48.43) and Tyler Gill (No. 3, 21.87) are highly-ranked in their respective events as well.
John Carroll continues its strong efforts during the indoor season into the outdoor season and resides at No. 3. The Blue Streaks own nine national top-10 marks, including a national leader from Ian Pierson in the 1500 at 3:53.05. Jacob Fritsch (javelin), Alex Phillip (1500) and Deven Ward (100) are ranked second nationally in their respective events.
Lynchburg comes into the 2021 season at No. 4. The Hornets have amassed nine national top-10 marks this season, including a national leader from Max Sparks in the 5000 of 14:38.80. Five of those top-10 marks came from their efforts this past weekend, namely the third-ranked performances in the 800 (Sam Llaneza, 1:53.28) and long jump (Julian Douglas, 7.07m/23-2½).
McMurry and Rowan aren’t separated by much at No. 5 and No. 6, but the former takes home the final spot in the top-5 this week. The War Hawks earned a national-leading mark in the 4×400 relay this past weekend of 3:16.03 and hold seven others, including a No. 2 billing in the high jump from Aaron Webb at 2.00m (6-6¾).
Here are the rest of the top-10 teams in Week 1: No. 6 Rowan, No. 7 Whitworth, No. 8 Carnegie Mellon, No. 9 UW-La Crosse and No. 10 Piedmont.