T-Bird Men's Track Ranks #8 in 2022 NJCAA DI Men’s Outdoor Track & Field Rating Index
NEW ORLEANS – Outdoor season is well underway!
Accordingly, the debut version of the 2022 NJCAA Division I Men's Outdoor National Track & Field Rating Index was released Wednesday by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA). No marks from previous seasons have been used as this objective list is compiled solely of current marks from the 2022 indoor and outdoor track & field seasons.
South Plains (Texas) begins in a familiar position at the top – the Texans were co-champs last year outdoors and claimed a dominating victory indoors. Here they have a commanding lead in the TFRI with 24 top-10 marks that includes the leading effort in no less than six events. Two of those leaders are in relays, including the 7:20.31 victorious time in the Texas Relays that moved them to No. 2 all-time in NJCAA history and earned National Athlete of the Week honors. The Texans' 4×400 team, which ran 3:06.58, also tops the yearly list. Four athletes lead the way in individual events – Jeremy Bembridge (400 at 46.17), Chris Robinson (400 hurdles at 51.15), Kudakwashe Chadenga (high jump at 2.22m/7-3¼) and Thomas Nieto (pole vault at 5.41m/17-9). SPC actually rates 1-2 in two events as they own the second-best mark in the 400 (Hossam Hatib at 46.63) and 400 hurdles (Caimo Almeida at 51.95).
The Nos. 2-3-4 teams are closely grouped, with Iowa Central CC highest. The Tritons have 13 top-10 marks, with nine of them in the top-5. Martin Lamou is the national leader in the triple jump at 16.33m/53-7, while three athletes are currently No. 2 – Yared Kidane (800 at 1:50.79), Robin Aguilar Gonzalez (steeplechase at 9:34.57) and Nicola Paletti (decathlon at 6225).
No. 3 is Coffeyville (Kan.) CC. The Red Ravens own 15 top-10 marks with five of them among the top-2 (a total second only to South Plains). Antoine Evans has a part in three of the marks – he's No. 1 in the 200 (20.84), No. 2 in the 100 (10.27) and anchor on the No. 2 4×100 relay team (39.76). Also leading the nation for Coffeyville is shot putter Dennis Ohene-Adu at 18.33m/60-1 ¾, while Treyvon Ferguson is second in the triple jump at 16.19mw/53-1½w.
Mesa (Ariz.) CC is No. 4. The Thunderbirds have 15 top-10 marks, including decathlon national leader Makel Hubbard at 7078. Desmond Lott adds a No. 2 rating in the hammer throw at 52.47m/172-2.
Defending co-champs Barton (Kan.) CC is No. 5. The Cougars have 10 top-10 marks, with nine of them in the top-5. Shakwon Coke and Brandon Lloyd each have a pair of top-5 marks, with Coke including the long jump leader at 7.83m/25-8¼ and Lloyd topping the discus throw at 56.71m/186-1. Contributing No. 2 efforts are Dayllin Williams (110 hurdles at 14.08) and Giovanni Gutierrez (shot put at 18.05m/59-2¾).
Finishing out the top-10 teams in the national TFRI are No. 6 Cloud County (Kan.) CC, No. 7 Butler (Kan.) CC, No. 8 New Mexico JC, No. 9 Iowa Western CC and No. 10 Paradise Valley (Ariz.) CC.
Keep May 19-21 circled on your calendars, as that's when the 2022 NJCAA Division I Outdoor Track & Field Championships are scheduled at Hutchinson (Kan.) CC's Gowans Stadium in Hutchinson, Kansas.