Columbia, Mo. — After two successful meets at Arkansas and Iowa State, the Mizzou Men's Track and Field team debuted at No. 24 in the US Track and Field Cross Country Coaches Association Men's Indoor Track and Field National Ratings Index, the organization announced Monday.

Within the Midwest region, the team ranks ninth with a 40.98 score. This is the first time the men's squad has been ranked in the national ratings index since Week 1 (1/27/20) last year when the team was also ranked No. 24. 

"It's great to see that our men are getting some validation for their efforts over the last year," head coach Brett Halter said. "They have put in a tremendous amount of work and have been competing well. I know they will continue to put in the work and look to move up the ranking over the next several weeks heading into championship season."

Five athletes contributed to Mizzou's ranking, with senior Ja'Mari Ward (Cahokia, Ill.) leading the scoring. Ward sits third in the country in the long jump with a 7.88m (25-10.25) mark.

Following Ward in scoring is senior Chris Conrad (O'Fallon, Ill.), who ranks fourth nationally in the 800m race. He set a new personal record last Saturday at the Cyclone Invitational with a 1:48.45 time that ranks fifth in program history for the event. Freshman Angus Beer (Rozelle, Australia) also ranked in the 800m race, sitting at No. 14 with a 1:51.35 mark. Beer's time ranks fourth amongst freshmen.

Scoring performances also came from sophomore Georgi Nachev (Yambol, Bulgaria) and redshirt junior Jayson Ashford (Fairview Heights, Ill.) in the triple jump and 200m dash, respectively.

The Mizzou women came into the first week of the ratings index unranked nationally but ranked No. 10 in the Midwest region.

For all the latest on Mizzou Track & Field, stay tuned to MUTigers.com and follow the team on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram (MizzouTFXC).