PROVIDENCE, R.I. – The American Athletic Conference has announced the winners of the league’s weekly indoor track and field honors for the week ending January 20.
MALE TRACK ATHLETE OF THE WEEK
Mario Burke * Sr. * Houston * Bridgetown, Barbados
Burke won the 60-meter dash at the Texas Tech Red Raider Invitational on Friday, running the fastest time in The American this season and second-fastest time in the NCAA, clocking 6.56 seconds (6.58 elevation change). His mark is tied for second all-time in school history with the conversion time.
FEMALE TRACK ATHLETE OF THE WEEK
Chelsea Francis * Jr. * SMU * Carrollton, Texas
Francis sprinted to the top of The American’s performance list in two events this season after placing second in the 60-meter dash (7.27) and third in the 200-meter (23.70) at the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Collegiate Invitational over the weekend. Her 60m time broke SMU’s record and ranks No. 9 in the country this season. Her 200m time is the 26th-fastest in the NCAA this year.
MALE FIELD ATHLETE OF THE WEEK
Cory Martens * R-Sr. * Wichita State * Newton, Kan.
Martens won three individual events over the weekend while representing the Shockers at a pair of meets. He won the weight throw at the KU-KSU-WSU Triangular with his toss that traveled 19.76 meters (64-10). His throw leads the conference this season and ranks 32nd nationally—listed at No. 6 all-time in program history. On Saturday, he swept the Shocker Prelude throwing events, placing first in the weight throw (19.40 meters/63-7.75) and the shot put (16.31 meters/53-6.25).
FEMALE FIELD ATHLETE OF THE WEEK
Taylor Scaife * Sr. * Houston * Moss Point, Miss.
Scaife broke her own school record in the weight throw and moved to No. 16 in the NCAA this season with her toss of 20.93 meters (68-8.0) at the Texas Tech Red Raider Invitational. She placed first in the event and currently ranks No. 1 in The American this season.