2021 NCAA DII Men's Indoor Track & Field Rating Index – Week 7

NEW ORLEANS – The newest installment of the NCAA Division II Men’s Indoor Track & Field National Rating Index, based solely on the entires for the 2021 NCAA Division II Indoor Track & Field Championships, has the men’s team title race shaping up to be a thriller.
The National Rating Index is projecting a battle among GLIAC teams to win the national title, with Ashland coming out on top over second-ranked Grand Valley State. The battle for the remaining podium spots is expected to be between No. 3 Colorado School of Mines, No. 4 West Texas A&M and No. 5 Central Missouri.
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Ashland is looking to win its second title in program history, with their first coming from the 2019 season. The Eagles will enter the meet with 13 entries –  10 of them sitting in the top-5 nationally. Headlining the Eagles is Trevor Bassitt, as he is entered in five events, all ranking No. 1 or No. 2: 60, 200, 60H, 4×400 and DMR. Joining Bassitt in the sprints are Tim Rumas (60/200) and Channing Phillips (400). Brent Fairbanks will lead a trio of weight throwers entered for the meet, while Travis Moore is ranked fifth in the heptathlon.
The Lakers have 16 entries and will rely on its distance runners. Dennis Mbuta is No. 2 in the 800, while Isaac Harding and Tanner Chada will take on the 3000/5000 double. Mbuta is also part of the top-ranked DMR. In the field events, Eli Kosiba is entered in the high jump (No. 3) and Justin Scavarda in the shot put (No. 4).
Of the 15 entries Colorado School of Mines has in Birmingham, and 13 of them are in mid-distance/distance events. The Orediggers have four marks that rank in top-5 nationally, including the national leader in the mile in Luke Julian. Kyle Moran is ranked second in the 5000.
West Texas A&M has quality in their eight entries for the national championships, as seven of them sit among the top-4 nationally. Leading the Buffs is Benjamin Azamati in the 60 (No. 1) and 200 (No. 2) and Butare Rugenerwa in the 800 (No. 1).
Central Missouri will have eight entries – all in the field events. Vincent Hobbie and Trey Miller are ranked No. 2 in their respective events: Hobbie in the pole vault; Miller in the heptathlon. Christopher Goodwin will look to score well for the Mules in both the long jump (No. 4) and triple jump (No. 7).
Here are the rest of the top-10 in Week 7: No. 6 Lee (Tenn.), No. 7 Northwest Missouri, No. 8 Tiffin, No. 9 Pittsburg State and No. 10 Missouri Southern.