New Mexico JC added nearly 90 points to its total – now at 411.41 – thanks mostly to an impressive 27 top-10 marks that includes five national-leading efforts. Two T-Birds each top a pair of events – Deshana Skeete in the 200 (24.18) and 400 (55.41) and Damaris Chewon in the 3000 (10:18.10) and 5000 (17:19.11). Also leading the country is current National Athlete of the Week Kimeone McLeod in the 60 hurdles (8.40). Aaliyah Lindsay has top-5 marks in three jumping events (No. 2 in high jump at 1.67m/5-5¾, No. 3 in triple jump at 11.85m/38-10½ and No. 4 in long jump at 5.95m/19-6¼), while Ese Awusa adds a pair of top-5 efforts (No. 2 in 60 hurdles at 8.45, No. 3 in 200 at 24.58). NMJC also owns two highly ranked relay squads (No. 2 in the 4×400 at 3:47.09, No. 3 in the distance medley at 12:39.49).
Iowa Western CC moves up one position to No. 2, its highest ever in the TFRI since it began in 2015. The Reivers improved its total of top-10 marks to 20, with three Reivers leading the national lists: Hilda Chebet in the mile (5:04.56), Victory George in the triple jump (12.23m/40-1½) and Aaliyah McNeil in the high jump (1.77m/5-9¾). McNeil – who is also No. 5 in the long jump (5.77m/18-11 ¼) – is one of four Reivers with multiple top-5 marks. Nickisha Pryce rates in three events (No. 2 in 600 at 1:34.12, No. 4 in 400 at 56.21) and No. 5 in 200 at 24.68), while Osayi Omorodion is No. 3 in the 60 hurdles (8.55) and long jump (6.10m/20-0¼) and Shariden Richardson is No. 5 in the 600 (1:35.15) and 1000 (3:06.63). Iowa Western can add the No. 2 distance medley team (19:39.42), anchored by Chebet and led off Mercy Biwott (No. 2 in the 5000 at 17:54.46).
Cloud County (Kan.) CC is No. 3 with 17 top-10 marks. The T-Birds also have nine top-5 marks, led by pole vaulter Maggie Armstrong, who leads a 2-5 at 3.20m/10-6. Also rating No. 2 in the nation is Tahisha Thompson in the weight throw at 15.49m/50-10, while the 4×400 relay team is No. 3 (3:47.24) and the distance medley unit is No. 4 (12:44.07). All but one of Cloud County’s top-5 ranked athletes is a freshman.
Moving up one spot to No. 4 is Barton (Kan.) CC with 13 top-10 marks. The Cougars lead the country in three events, with Kayan Green in the 1000 (2:57.42), Kelsie Murrell-Ross in the shot put (15.04m/49-4¼) and the 4×400 relay (3:46.21). Green is also No. 3 in the 600 (1:34.22), while Nia Robinson is No. 2 in the long jump (6.17m/20-3). The throws crew is bolstered by Efe Latham 3 in the weight throw at (No. 3 at 15.03m/49-3 ¾) and Jada Sewell (No. 4 at 13.14m/43-1½).
Monroe-New Rochelle (N.Y.) jumps four places to No. 5, its highest rating since 2020. The Mustangs took over the No. 1 position in the distance medley at 11:51.81 with a foursome anchored by Aaliyah Moore. Individually, Moore is No. 2 in the 800 (2:12.65) and 1000 (3:00.42), plus No. 3 in the mile (5:09.01). Also rating highly in two events is Tshwanelo Maruping, who is No. 3 in the 3000 (10:18.41) and No. 5 in the mile (5:11.39).
Finishing out the top-10 teams in the national TFRI are No. 6 Indian Hills (Iowa) CC, No. 7 Iowa Central CC, No. 8 South Plains (Texas), No. 9 Hawkeye (Iowa) CC and No. 10 Cowley (Kan.).
March 4-5 is circled on everyone’s calendar, as that’s when the NJCAA Indoor Championships are scheduled at Pittsburg State’s Robert W. Plaster Center in Pittsburg, Kansas.
