Concordia (Neb.), which remained No. 1 in the final
NAIA Women’s Outdoor Track & Field Ratings Index released Tuesday by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA).
Concordia (Neb.) is seeking to win the team title at this meet for the first time since 2016, and the Bulldogs have a lot of bite in their lineup with 24 individual entries, along with two relays.
Two NAIA Indoor champions are looking to add an outdoor title to their resume –
Rachel Battershell, a sophomore who has won two-straight indoor 400 titles, and freshman
Rosie Puelz, pole vault champion indoors. Both lead their events outdoors.
Many of these honored athletes and coaches are headed to the
2021 NAIA Outdoor Track & Field Championships next week in Gulf Shores, Alabama.
Men’s Track Athlete of the Year
GREAT LAKES REGION – Tony Floyd – Madonna (Mich.)
Floyd, a senior from Westland, Michigan, is ranked first nationally in the 5000 at 14:24.32 and second nationally in the 10,000 at 30:06.89. He completed the distance sweep at the WHAC Outdoor Track & Field Championships, winning the 5000 and 10,000.
MIDWEST REGION – Matthew Van Eps – Dordt (Iowa)
Van Eps, a senior from Prinsburg, Minnesota, is ranked second nationally in the 800 at 1:49.59 and is undefeated in that event, including a victory at the Drake Relays. He completed the 800-1500 sweep at the GPAC Outdoor Track & Field Championships and has 15 total first-place finishes this season.
The NAIA National Office announced its National Athlete of the Week selections for outdoor track & field on Wednesday.
Dylan Felger of Huntington (Ind.) was named Men’s Track Athlete of the Week after winning the 400H at the Warrior Opener in an NAIA-leading 52.79.
Bryan Terry of College of Idaho was named Men’s Field Athlete of the Week after winning three throwing events at the Grand View Invitational. Terry captured top honors in the discus, hammer and shot put with marks of 46.34m (152-0), 53.40m (175-2) and 15.40m (50-6¼), respectively.
Jakarri Alven of Aquinas (Mich.) was named Women’s Track Athlete of the Week after winning the 400 at the Warrior Opener in an NAIA-leading 55.64. That mark also broke a 14-year-old program record by more than one second.