NEW ORLEANS, LA – The West Texas A&M Track and Field Buffs and Lady Buffs are going into the NCAA Division II Indoor National Championship ranked No. 5 (Buffs) and No. 7 (Lady Buffs) as the next to last final ranking released by the United States Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) on Monday afternoon for week seven rankings.
No. 5 BUFFS
The Buffs have remained in the top five of the national standings since week one. The Buffs are led by national leader
James Dadzie in the 60-meter, holding down the top time at 6.60. The Buffs have ten top-10 national marks with No. 4
Isaac Botsio joining Dadzie in the 60m (6.66), No. 4
William Amponsah in the 5,000 meter at 13.40.16 and No. 7 in the 3,000m; No. 6
Troy Whyte in the 60m hurdles at 7.83, No. 4
Hamdi Ali in the high jump at 2.20m; No. 9
Joseph Oreva in the long jump at 7.51m;
Luke Holcombe No. 6 in shot put at 17.87m; and heptathletes No. 9
Gerard Bryant and No. 11
Romet Vahter.
The Buffs have claimed 14 qualifiers in 10 events for the National Championship. With the fourth most men's qualifiers the Buffs will have a chance to score big in a multitude of categories.
Rounding out the top-5 are No. 1 Pitt State with 211.80 points, No. 2 Adams State (186.17), No. 3 Grand Valley State (166.67), No. 4 Minnesota State (145.79) and No. 5 West Texas A&M (139.27).
No. 7 LADY BUFFS
The Lady Buffs held their ranking at No. 7 for three consecutive weeks. The Lady Buffs have nine top-10 marks in the national standings. Freshman
Joy Udo-Gabriel at No. 7 in the 60-meter at 7.39;
Corrssia Perry in the 400-meter at No. 6 running 54.11, the fastest time in WT history and marking her spot in the 200m at No. 6 going 23.72;
Blessing Akintoye joins Perry in the 400-meter at No. 9 running 54.59; No. 5
Florance Uwajeneza in the 3,000-meter at 9:16.05 and No. 3 in the 5,000-meter at 16:07.37;
Eleonora Curtabbi at No. 9 in the 3,000m running 9:21.18;
Meadow Gallentine in the weight throw at No. 9 with an 18.79m distance; and the womens distance medley team coming in at No. 4 fastest in the nation and breaking the school record at 11:24.45.
The Lady Buffs qualified 12 athletes in 10 events for the National Championship. The Lady Buffs are tied with the third most qualifiers going into the national tournament.
In the top five are No. 1 Adams State (250.11), No. 2 Minnesota State (219.72), No. 3 Pitt State (208.02), No. 4 Grand Valley State (177.28), and No. 5 Azusa Pacific (142.12). Angelo State of LSC follows in sixth (130.27) with the Lady Buffs right behind (123.47).
COMING UP
The 2024 championships will take place Friday, March 8 through Saturday, March 9 at the Robert W. Plaster Center in Pittsburg, Kansas. Pittsburg State University will host the event. A total of 270 student-athletes qualified for the Division II Indoor Track and Field Championships through regular-season performances.
