Katie Moon, Nia Akins, Josh Kerr and CJ Allen earn world rankings from Track & Field News...

A group of four athletes with Washington ties, led by former Pullman resident Katie Moon (Paul Merca photo), the world's number one pole vaulter, earned world rankings from Track & Field News in the publication's annual world and US rankings, released on Wednesday.

Moon, who also won the Mercanator Award for the fourth time in her career earlier this week, earned her second career world number one ranking from the publication after defending her world championship (albeit a tie with Australia's Nina Kennedy) title in Budapest. She also won the Wanda Diamond League crown at the Nike Prefontaine Classic in September, and had a 5-2-1 head-to-head advantage over Kennedy in the 2023 season.

Nia Akins of the Brooks Beasts earned her first career world ranking, finishing as the publications's number six ranked 800 meter runner. Akins won the USA national title in Eugene, and finished sixth in the 800 meter final at the world championships in Budapest. Akins is the number two American in the women's 800, behind Athing Mu, who was third at the world championships, and won the Wanda Diamond League finals in Eugene.

On the men's side, Josh Kerr of the Brooks Beasts won the world championships in the 1500 at Budapest, but only ranked third by T&FN based on having losing records in head-to-head competitions against number one Jakob Ingebrigtsen of Norway and Yared Nuguse of the USA. In his three Wanda Diamond League races last year, Kerr was ninth in Oslo, third in Lausanne, and second in Zürich.

Washington State alum CJ Allen, who started the 2023 season without a sponsor, but was picked up by ASICS in May, earned his second career world ranking, moving up from number nine to number five in 2023. Allen was second at the USA championships, and won his first race on the Wanda Diamond League circuit in Paris, then advanced to the semifinals at the world championships.

The women with Washington ties earning US rankings from Track & Field News include: Nia Akins (2) in the 800m; Olivia Markezich (4) Marisa Howard (5) and Kaylee Mitchell (6) in the 3000 steeple; Lindsay Flanagan (2) in the marathon; Katie Burnett (4) in the 20k walk, and (5) in the 35k walk; Katie Moon (1), Hana Moll (4), Nastassja Campbell (6), & Amanda Moll (8) in the pole vault; and Lexi Ellis (7) in the triple jump.

Men with Washington ties earning US rankings include: Isaiah Harris (3), Devin Dixon (7),  and Derek Holdsworth (8) in the 800m; Joe Waskom (3), Johnny Gregorek (4), Sam Prakel (5), Henry Wynne (6), and Nathan Green (8) in the 1500m; Kenneth Rooks (1) in the 3000 steeple; James Mwaura (9) in the 10000m; Devon Allen (6) in the 110 hurdles; CJ Allen (2) in the 400 hurdles; Daniel Nehnevaj (6) in the 20k walk; and, Brock Eager (5) in the hammer.

You can read the complete world and US rankings on the Track & Field News website (subscription required).

ODDS & ENDS...

In our 2023 Mercanator Awards column yesterday (and in the advance copy sent to our patrons), we inadvertently left off 1500 meter runner Johnny Gregorek, who was ranked number 24 in the final 2023 World Athletics rankings with a world ranking score of 1270 points. The column now reflects Gregorek's addition.

James Mwaura's number 9 US ranking in the mens 10000 marks a significant accomplishment for the Gonzaga track & field program. Mwaura, a product of Tacoma's Lincoln HS, is the first Zag to ever receive a US ranking from the publication.

In a note received from Dan Lilot of Aurum Sports, which represents Washington alum Amy-Eloise Markovc, she is reverting to her maiden name of Amy-Eloise Neale in all results, media, performance lists, etc as of the start of the new year.

NOTE: Track & Field News and World Athletics contributed to this report.

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