2021 NCAA DI Women's Outdoor Track & Field Rating Index – Week 1

NEW ORLEANS – We’ve finally made it to the outdoor season!

Teams haven’t wasted any time putting up big marks, as seen in the first release of the NCAA Division I Outdoor Track & Field National Rating Index that was released by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) on Monday morning.

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No. 1 LSU will headline the National TFRI in Week 1, followed by No. 2 Texas, No. 3 Arkansas, No. 4 Southern California and No. 5 Texas Tech.

The Tigers had an impressive showing at the 93rd Clyde Littlefield Texas Relays after collecting 15 marks that rank in the top-10 nationally, while 12 of those efforts are ranked in the top-5 in their respective events. The hurdle events have been huge for LSU as they own three of the top-5 spots in both the 100H and 400H: Tonea Marshall (No. 1, 12.75), Alia Armstrong (No. 2, 12.85) and Milan Young (No. 5, 13.06) lead the way in the 100H; Jurnee Woodward (No. 1, 56.64), Young (No. 2, 56.94) and Brittley Humphrey (No. 4, 57.54) pace the Tigers in the 400H. Other top performers for LSU are Abigail O’Donoghue in the high jump (No. 1, 1.88m/6-2), Lisa Gunnarsson in pole vault (No. 2, 4.50m/14-9) and Thelma Davies in the 100 (No. 2, 11.21) and 200 (No. 3, 2.89). LSU also has the top-ranked 4×100 (42.87) and No. 4 4×400 (3:32.28).

The second-ranked Longhorns have 12 top-10 nationally ranked performances following its weekend in their own backyard. Tara Davis headlines the Longhorns with her collegiate record in the long jump (7.14m/23-5 ¼), while Kristine Blazevica boasts in the national leading score in the heptathlon with a score of 5813. Texas also owns the No. 2 4×100 (43.04) and 4×400 (3:28.10) relays in the early season. Athletes with No. 4 performances so far are Kevonna Davis in the 200 (22.93) and Madeline Vondra in the 10,000 (33:55.72), while Elena Bruckner adds a shot put performance ranked No. 5 (17.19m/56-4 ¾).

Arkansas, the 2019 National Champions, will open up in the third spot after obtaining a slew of nationally-ranked marks at the Texas Relays. The Razorbacks have three national leaders: Tiana Wilson in the 100 (11.12), Paris Peoples in the 400 (51.67) and the 4×400 (3:26.63). Other top performers for Arkansas include Shafiqua Maloney in the 400 (No. 2, 51.72), Yoveinny Mota in the 100H (12.97), Lauren Martinez in the pole vault (No. 5, 4.31m/14-1 ¾) and G’Auna Edwards in the heptathlon (No. 5, 5326).

Seven of Southern California’s nationally-ranked marks sit within the top-9 of their respective events. Performances from their outing at the Aztec Invitational in San Diego, California this past weekend include Morgan Smalls in the high jump (No. 5, 1.80m/5-10 ¾), Kaelin Roberts in the 200 (No. 6, 22.99) and Anna Cockrell in the 100H (No. 9, 13.10). Jasmine Jones paces the team with her No. 4 ranking in the 100H, clocking at the USC Trojan Invitational on March 20. The Women of Troy also have the No. 5 4×100 and No. 9 4×400 relays.

Texas Tech is back in the top-5 for the first time since 2008. The Red Raiders notched seven top-10 nationally ranked efforts at the Texas Relays. The long jump duo of Ruth Usoro and Monae’ Nichols pace the team with their No. 2 (6.76m/22-2 ¼) and No. 4 (6.54m/21-5 ½) performances, respectively. Additional top performers for Texas Tech include Sidney Sapp in the high jump (No. 6), Seasons Usual in the discus (No. 7), Lexie Price in the 400H (No. 8) and Kayli Johnson in the shot put (No. 9). Price is also part of the of the sixth-ranked 4×400.

Here are the rest of the top-10 teams in Week 1: No. 6 Texas A&M, No. 7 Virginia, No. 8 North Carolina A&T, No. 9 NC State and No. 10 Oklahoma.