Track and Field: Virginia women rank No. 16, men rank No. 19 in USTFCCCA’s TFRI

Courtesy UVA Media Relations

The USTFCCCA released its initial track and field rating index for the 2022 outdoor season on Monday. After an impressive pair of showings at the Virginia Open and Raleigh Relays, both the Virginia men’s and women’s teams find themselves ranked in the nation’s top-20.

The Cavalier women check in at No. 16 with five athletes ranking in the top-10 of their respective events. The Hoos freshman-duo of Mia Barnett (4:16.68) and Margot Appleton (4:17.17) rank fourth and sixth nationally in the 1500m. Helena Lindsay’s personal-best time in the 3000m steeplechase (10:20.92) has her ranked 10th nationally.

The women’s throwers made their mark early at the Virginia Open. Ashley Anumba’s school-record discus throw (56.50m / 185’5”) ranks seventh in the country while Maria Deaviz ranks ninth in the shot put with her mark of 16.87 (44’4.25”).

The Virginia men are ranked No. 19 with four athletes cracking the national top-10 in their events. Leading the Cavalier men is Wes Porter after an inspiring performance at the Raleigh Relays where he posted the top 1500m time in the nation at 3:39.73. Connor Murphy ranks eighth nationally in the 1500m (3:41.49) while Rohann Asfaw ranks ninth in the 5000m posting a time of 13:51.23. Claudio Romero’s discus throw of 61.05m (200’4”) ranks fifth in the nation for the Wahoos.

The Cavaliers will hit the road this weekend when Virginia competes in the Colonial Relays hosted by William & Mary from Thursday, March 31 through Saturday, April 2.