Jan. 19, 2009

Men’s Track Co-Athletes of the Week

Gakologelwang Masheto, Illinois
Sr., Muan, Botswana / University of Botswana

Masheto finished second in the 400-meter dash out of a 61-competitor field at the Kentucky Invitational this past weekend.  His time of 47.07 missed first place by .03 and provisionally qualified him for the NCAA Indoor Championships on March 14.  The senior sprinter also anchored the Fighting Illini 1600-meter relay that crossed the line in an NCAA mark of 3:09.14.  The Botswana native is honored with his second award of the season and the fourth of his career.

Last Illinois Indoor Track Athlete of the Week: Gakologelwang Masheto (12/8/08)

Ibrahim Kabia, Minnesota
Sr., Brooklyn Center, Minn. / Champlin Park

Kabia was the fastest collegiate sprinter at the Minnesota Open this past Saturday, blazing the 60-meter straightaway in a time of 6.64.  The senior missed the NCAA automatic standard, his personal-best and the school record by .01.  The Brooklyn Center, Minn., native far exceeded the NCAA provisional qualifying mark and is on track to represent Minnesota at the Indoor Championships.  Kabia takes home his third career Big Ten indoor track Athlete of the Week award.

Last Minnesota Indoor Track Athlete of the Week: Ibrahim Kabia (2/26/08)

Men’s Field Athlete of the Week

Clarence Smith, Penn State
Sr., Coatesville, Pa. / Coatesville 

Smith leaped to a new indoor personal-best triple jump of 52-04.50 (15.96 m.).  His three-hop total just missed the NCAA automatic standard by .14 meters but bettered the provisional mark, qualifying him for the NCAA Indoor Championships.  The senior’s jump bested the Penn State Open competition by nearly three feet, setting a new meet record.  Smith picks up his first career weekly indoor accolade.

Big Ten Men's Indoor Track

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