New Orleans, La. - The Central Methodist Men's Track and Field program is ranked No. 14 in the first edition of the USTFCCCA NAIA Outdoor National Rating Index, which was released Wednesday. 

Central is the only program from the Heart of America to be featured in the Top 25. 

Brayton Stephenson is currently No. 3 in the NAIA in the shot put with a mark of 16.11 meters. Teammate Colder Evans is No. 5 nationally in the same event with a toss of 16.09 meters. 

In addition, Evans is No. 5 in the country in the Hammer Throw (53.89m) and No. 7 in the Discus (48.50m). The 4x100m relay team of Adam Trachsel, Chris Adekoya, Leroy Williams, and Caleb Cody-Jackson cracked the Top 10 at No. 9 with a time of 41.37 seconds. 

Central is set to host the CMU Invite beginning Friday, March 29 at 10:00 a.m. at Davis Field and Hairston Track. 

To view the full release on this week's NAIA Men's Outdoor Track & Field Rating Index, please click here.