NEW ORLEANS – Central Missouri Mules track and field is sixth in the first United States Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) NCAA Division II Rating Index (TFRI) release Tuesday, Jan. 25, by the organization.

The rankings are a point system based on season-best qualifying marks for individuals and relays.Teams earn points by their respective athletes and relays places in the national rankings.

Grand Valley State sits at No. 1 in the first rankings, while Ashland is second. MIAA foe Pittsburg State is third, followed by Lee (Tenn.) in fourth. Fellow MIAA member Fort Hays State is right in front of the Mules in fifth, rounding out the top-five.

Other MIAA men's track and field teams in the first set of rankings include Nebraska Kearney (No. 10), Lincoln (No. 23) and Missouri Southern (No. 24).

Mules and Jennies track and field is scheduled to host the annual Mule Relays Friday, Jan. 28, and Saturday, Jan. 29, inside the Multipurpose Building in Warrensburg.