2021 NAIA Men's Indoor Track & Field Rating Index – Week 6
NEW ORLEANS – Indiana Tech remained at the top of the final NAIA Men’s Indoor Track & Field Ratings Index that was released this afternoon by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA).
The ratings get replaced with real action this week as the 2021 NAIA Indoor Track & Field Championships are set for Wednesday through Saturday in Yankton, South Dakota. This is the 56th annual edition of the men’s championships.
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Indiana Tech continues to lead the National TFRI and aims to regain the national title it last held in 2019, when the program finished a run of five crowns in six years. The Warriors have a meet-high 17 individual entries. Add to that a pair of relays, including the nation’s top-ranked 4 x 400-meter relay team.
Dordt (Iowa) is at No.2, and the Defenders enter the nationals with nine individuals. That includes two leaders – Matthew Van Epps in the 800 and Payton Mauldin in 600 – the latter is a freshman and followed at No. 2 by fellow freshman Cole Zevenbergon.
At No. 3 is Doane (Neb.), hoping to move up from last year’s fourth-place finish. The Tigers have the nation’s top high jumper in Jacob Heltkamp.
Saint Mary (Kan.) moved up to No. 4 in the latest ratings, pushing Indiana Weselyan down to No. 5. The Spires have a pair of national leaders in Cory Lyons (400) and Luke Skinner (1000), while Indiana Wesleyan has Landon Miller, tops in the mile and 3000.
Rounding out the top 10 are Concordia (Neb.) at No. 6, Friends (Kan.) at No. 7, William Carey (Miss.) at No. 8, Bethel (Kan.) at No. 9 and Marian (Ind.) at No. 10.
William Carey is the defending team champion and has the nation’s leading long jumper and triple jumper in Ineh Emmanuel, while Bethel’s forces are led by Kemroy Cupid, tops in the 60 and 200. Emmanuel is also ranked No. 2 in the 60.
