2021 NCAA DI Men's Indoor Track & Field Rating Index – Week 1

NEW ORLEANS – Arkansas came ready in a season shrouded by uncertainty.
The Razorbacks sit No. 1 in the first installment of the NCAA Division I Men’s Indoor Track & Field National TFRI, which was released on Monday by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA). This marks the first time since Week 6 of the 2016 season that Arkansas has been ranked No. 1 indoors by the USTFCCCA Computers.
NOTE: Only marks from this current year are being used in calculations.
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North Carolina A&T sits a close No. 2 after a strong start to the new season and is followed in order by No. 3 LSU, No. 4 BYU and No. 5 Tennessee.
The Razorbacks are taking full advantage of a favorable schedule that doesn’t see them leave the friendly confines of the refurbished Randal Tyson Track Center this season. Arkansas athletes have put up ten different top-10 marks nationally, including top-5 marks from Amon Kemboi in the mile (No. 1, 3:58.26) and Ryan Brown in the triple jump (No. 5, 15.96m/52-4½).
Like the Razorbacks, the North Carolina-based Aggies hit the ground running. N.C. A&T owns seven top-10 marks nationally, including the top-ranked 4×400 relay team at 3:04.62. Randolph Ross, the second leg of that aforementioned relay team, also turned in two solo top-3 marks in the 200 (t-No. 3, 20.69) and 400 (No. 3, 46.20). Ross isn’t alone on the one-lap chart, as he’s actually tied with freshman teammate Javonte Harding at 20.69.
Five of the six top-10 marks the Tigers have turned in are among the top-5 in their respective events: Terrance Laird is No. 2 in the 200 (20.61);  JuVaughn Harrison is No. 2 in the long jump (7.98m/26-2¼); Davis Bove is No. 3 in the mile (4:00.20), Damion Thomas is No. 3 in the 60H (7.71) and the 4×400 relay holds down the No. 3 spot at 3:06.64.
The Cougars prove it’s not about the quantity of marks, rather the quality of marks. BYU has five different athletes ranked in the top-5 nationally: Conner Mantz is No. 1 in the 3000 (7:47.50c); Caleb Witsken is No. 1 in the heptathlon (5423), Dallin Vorkink is No. 2 in the heptathlon (5375); Zach McWhorter is No. 3 in the pole vault (5.56m/18-2¾); Aidan Troutner is No. 4 in the 3000 (7:59.40c).
There are two Volunteers atop the NCAA DI Descending Order List – Karl Thiessen in the 5000 (14:14.40) and Jalen Tate in the triple jump (16.38m/53-9). Those are just two of the seven top-10 national marks Tennessee has at the moment. Others come in the 5000, distance medley relay, shot put and two more in the heptathlon.
Here are the rest of the top-10 teams in Week 1: No. 6 Texas Tech, No. 7 Florida State, No. 8 Alabama, No. 9 Iowa and No. 10 Southern California.
Remember: The 2021 NCAA Division I Indoor Track & Field Championships will be held March 11-13 at the Randal Tyson Track Center in Fayetteville, Arkansas.