PROVIDENCE, R.I. – The American Athletic Conference has announced the winners of the league’s weekly outdoor track and field honors for the week ending April 28.
MALE TRACK ATHLETE OF THE WEEK
Mario Burke * Sr. * Houston * Bridgetown, Barbados
Burke won four events at the historic 125th Penn Relays last weekend. The senior sprinter helped the Cougars become the sixth team in Penn Relays history to sweep the sprint relays, running as part of all three first-place relay quartets. Burke ran the second leg of the 4x400-meter relay squad that posted the fastest time in the NCAA this season (3:02.61). He also won gold with the 4x100m (39.23 seconds) and 4x200m (1:22.04) relay squads. Burke additionally won his sole individual event of the week, taking the title in the 100-meter dash in 10.20 seconds, as he leads The American in this event this season. His 100m time ranks 20th nationally and was the second-fastest clocked in the NCAA last week.
FEMALE TRACK ATHLETE OF THE WEEK
Chelsea Francis * Jr. * SMU * Carrollton, Texas
Francis earns her second American weekly honor of the season in as many weeks after improving her times in the 100 and 200-meter dashes from a week ago to lead The American in both of the events. Francis ran for a pair of NCAA top-20 times at the Bobcat Classic, winning the 100-meter dash in 11.23 seconds (wind-aided) and placing second in the 200-meter dash with a second American-leading time of 22.99 seconds (wind aided). Her 100m time was the fifth-fastest All-Conditions mark in the country last week and improved her to ranking 10th in the NCAA West region and 14th in the nation this year. Her time in the 200m was the third-best All-Conditions time in the country last week and ranks 19th overall in the nation this season.
MALE FIELD ATHLETE OF THE WEEK
Felipe Valencia * Sr. * Houston * Mission, Texas
Valencia saved his best throw for last, as the senior posted the top shot put distance in The American this season with a toss that traveled 18.52 meters (60-9.25) for a second-place finish against a tough field at the historic 125th Penn Relays. Valencia’s season-best throw ranks 40th nationally, as he earned a second-consecutive podium finish in the shot put after taking second place at the Mt. SAC Relays a week ago.
FEMALE FIELD ATHLETE OF THE WEEK
Saida Burns-Moore * Sr. * Memphis * Bronx, N.Y.
Burns-Moore jumped atop The American’s performance list in the high and triple jumps after collecting two first-place finishes at the Memphis Invitational over the weekend. The senior reset her school record in the high jump with a mark of 5-11.25 (1.81 meters) to win the title. She then set another personal-best (wind-aided) in triple jump with a distance of 44-1.25 (13.44 meters), clinching both titles for the third time in her outdoor career. In the NCAA East rankings, Burns-Moore ranks seventh in high jump and 14th in triple jump. She ranks 13th nationally in the high jump and 34th in the triple jump.