2021 NCAA DI Women's Indoor Track & Field Rating Index – Week 4
NEW ORLEANS – An action-packed weekend of competition allowed teams to solidify their rankings.
The entire top-5 remained unchanged in the fourth installment of the 2021 NCAA Division I Women’s Indoor Track & Field National TFRI that was released Monday by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA). While teams continue to look towards those top spots, other teams throughout the rest of the rankings shuffled around.
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No. 1 Arkansas continues to be chased by No. 2 Texas A&M, No. 3 Georgia, No. 4 Southern California and No. 5 Texas for the second-straight week. All five teams add to their haul of nationally ranked marks.
The Razorbacks continued to show why they are the top-ranked team by adding seven top-5 marks nationally: Krissy Gear in the mile (No. 2, 4:31.83); Katie Izzo in the 3000 (No. 3, 8:57.78) and mile (No. 5, 4:34.39); Lauren Gregory in the mile (No. 4, 4:34.39) and 3000 (No. 5, 8:58.36); Rosey Effiong in the 400 (No. 5, 52.27). The aforementioned Gear was also part of the Razorback DMR that ran the No. 1 time of 10:53.77 at the Tyson Invitational.
The second-ranked Aggies made a statement with its 4×400 relay. The quartet of Jania Martin, Syaira Richardson, Charokee Young and Athing Mu clocked a collegiate record of 3:26.27 in Fayetteville, Arkansas to close out the Tyson Invitational. That time is also the No. 4 time in world history.
The No. 3 spot goes to Georgia by a small margin after turning in two top-10 nationally ranked marks in the pole vault to boost the Bulldogs. Kayla Smith is ranked No. 4 following a clearance of 4.40m (14-5 ¼). Julia Fixsen vaulted 4.34m (12-2 ¾) for the No. 6 height on the Descending Order List.
Texas continued to clock quick times in the sprints, including a pair of No. 2 rankings: Kynnedy Flannel in the 200 (22.73) and Chanel Brissett in the 60H (7.98). The Longhorns also clocked 3:32.64 in the 4×400 at the Tyson Invitational, good for the fifth-best time collegiately this season.
Southern California gained ground on Texas in the National TFRI following several top-10 nationally ranked performances over the weekend: Bailey Lear in the 400 (No. 3, 52.05c/51.94A); Jasmine Jones in the 60H (No. 3, 8.00c/7.98A); Kaelin Roberts in the 400 (No. 4, 52.07c/51.96A); Morgan Smalls in the long jump (No. 8, 6.40m/21-0). Lear was also part of the quartet that ran the No. 2 time in the 4×400 (3:29.25c/3:28.81A).
The remaining top-10 teams for Week 2 are No. 6 Florida, No. 7 LSU, No. 8 BYU, No. 9 Oregon and No. 10 Florida State. The Ducks and Seminoles are each making their first appearance in the top-10 this season. Oregon climbed six spots mainly in part of the No. 2 DMR running 10:56.79. Florida State gained four spots after Ruta Lasmane soared in the triple jump (No. 2, 13.83m/45-4 ½) and the DMR clocked 10:57.24 for the third best time of the season.
The next National TFRI will be released on Monday, February 22 and continue until the 2021 NCAA Division I Indoor Track & Field Championships, which will be held March 11-13 in Fayetteville, Arkansas.