USTFCCCA NAIA Rankings: Men | Women
SEWARD, Neb. – The first NAIA national rankings of the 2020 indoor season are in. Based on results accumulated to this point, the men’s and women’s Concordia University track and field squads are both ranked No. 2 in the NAIA, according to the computer ratings calculated by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) and released on Jan. 29. Indiana Tech came in at No. 1 for both men and women.
Head coach Matt Beisel’s Bulldogs have been impressive so far while competing in three main meets this indoor season. As a result of performances at last week’s Polar Dog Invite, Rachel Battershell and Adrianna Shaw were both honored as NAIA National Athletes of the Week. In addition, Battershell, Shaw and Xavier Ross each garnered GPAC Athlete of the Week accolades. To date, Concordia athletes have combined for 14 automatic national qualifying marks, 17 ‘B’ standards and three NAIA top seven multi-event point totals.
Bulldog athletes currently own nine marks that rank either first or second on the NAIA leaderboard: women’s 4x400 meter relay (No. 2), Battershell (No. 1 in 400 meters), Allie Brooks (No. 2 in pole vault), Jacob Cornelio (No. 1 in weight throw), Kennedy Mogul (No. 2 in pentathlon), Josie Puelz (No. 2 in pole vault), Shaw (No. 2 in shot put and weight throw) and Cody Williams (No. 2 in heptathlon). In addition, Gavin DeHaai ranks third in the pole vault and Ross ranks third in the 400 meters.
The following marks are also ranked No. 1 in the GPAC:
· Men’s 4x400 relay (3:23.25)
· Women’s 4x400 relay (3:58.20)
· Men’s 4x800 relay (8:15.33)
· Women’s 4x800 relay (9:57.98)
· Rachel Battershell – 400 meters (56.40); 60 hurdles (8.96)
· Allie Brooks – pole vault (12’ 6 ¼”)
· Jacob Cornelio – weight throw (65’ 9”)
· Kylahn Heritage – mile (5:13.84)
· Kennedy Mogul – pentathlon (3,341)
· Cora Olson – long jump (17’ 11”)
· Josie Puelz – pole vault (12’ 6 ¼”)
· Xavier Ross – 400 meters (49.03)
· Adrianna Shaw – weight throw (62’ 6”)
· Christian Van Cleave – 800 meters (1:59.54)
Nationally in 2019, the Concordia men placed ninth in indoor and 31st in outdoor while the women placed ninth in indoor and fifth in outdoor. The Bulldog women are the defending indoor/outdoor GPAC champions.
The Bulldogs are getting set to host the Concordia Classic Thursday and Friday (Jan. 30-31) inside the Fieldhouse. The meet schedule can be viewed HERE.