May 6, 2008

Women's Track Athlete of the Week

Shana Cox, Penn State
Sr., Westbury, N.Y. / Holy Trinity
Cox swept her events at the premier Jesse Owens Track Classic last weekend, racking up gold medals in the 200- and 400-meter dashes, and also in the 4x100-meter relay.  Her 400 performance is a season-best and currently ranks sixth in the nation.  In the 200, Cox smoked the field by nearly a half second to register the 23rd best time in the nation.  Both of her individual races were regional qualifiers and the relay just missed the regional mark by less than a tenth of a second.  The Nittany Lion senior takes home her fifth career weekly honor.

Last PSU Track Athlete of the Week: Shana Cox (4/29/08)

Women's Co-Field Athletes of the Week

Aja Evans, Illinois
So., Chicago, Ill. / Morgan Park
At the Illinois Twilight meet, Evans powered the shot put an impressive 55-08.25 (16.97), breaking the 12-year-old Illini record of 53-01 set by Collinus Newsome in 1996.  The sophomore's performance qualifies her for the Mideast regional and she currently owns the nation's fifth-best throw.  Evans is honored with her first career weekly accolade.

Last ILL Field Athlete of the Week: Yvonne Mensah (4/13/06)

Alicia Rue, Minnesota
So., Plymouth, Minn. / Armstrong
Rue set a new Minnesota record in the pole last weekend at the Musco Twilight meet, claiming the event with a height of 13-07.25.  The sophomore now owns the Gopher's all-time vault performances for indoor and outdoor.  Her mark currently ranks her tenth among collegiate competition. Rue picks up her first career weekly laurel of the outdoor season.

Last MINN Field Athlete of the Week: Liz Roehrig (4/22/08)