2021 NAIA Women's Indoor Track & Field Rating Index – Week 6
NEW ORLEANS – Indiana Tech continued its dominance in the final NAIA Women’s Indoor Track & Field Ratings Index that was released this afternoon by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA).
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One change occurred in the top-5, as the nation’s best head to Yankton, South Dakota, for the 2021 NAIA Indoor Track & Field Championships, slated for Wednesday through Saturday. This will be the 41st edition of the women’s championships.
Indiana Tech is hoping to regain the team championship it last owned in 2017. However, the Warriors will need little introduction with one of the main challengers, No. 2 Concordia (Neb.) – only three points separated the two squads at last year’s nationals when they finished third and fourth. Each program has 20 individuals entered this year.
The Warriors of Indiana Tech feature three national leaders with Kylin Nichols in the 60-meter hurdles and Destiny Copeland in the long jump in addition to the fastest 4×400-meter relay unit.
The Bulldogs of Concordia have one of its best programs in school history and are led by Rachel Battershell, the nation’s top-ranked 400-meter runner.
The only change in the top-5 came when No. 3 Hastings (Neb.) moved up a position from last week, swapping with 2020 runner-up William Carey (Miss.). The latter is led by a pair of national leaders in Aniekeme Etim (60/200) and Brittany Jones (triple jump).
No. 5 Dordt (Iowa) is led by a 600-meter squad that enters three of the top four – led by Mika Koolstra at No. 1.
The remainder of the TFRI top-10 saw significant action as Marian (Neb.) jumped up five spots to No. 6, Wayland Baptist (Texas) moved up three positions to No. 7 and Southeastern (Fla.) came up to No. 8. Rounding out the top-10 are Friends (Kan.) at No. 9 and Taylor (Ind.) at No. 10.
Marian is led by all-arounder Erin Oleksak, leader in the pentathlon and high jump and No. 2 in the 60-meter hurdles.
Defending team champion Huntington (Ind.) dropped out of the top-10 but keep an eye on one of their freshmen, Emma Wilson, fastest this year in the mile and 3000 meters.
