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 7.
MALE TRACK ATHLETE OF THE WEEK
Kahmari Montgomery * Sr. * Houston * Plainfield, Ill.
Making his 2019 individual outdoor debut at the Houston Alumni Invitational, Montgomery clocked the nation's fastest 200-meter dash this season (20.41 seconds) along with the NCAA’s No. 5 time in the 400-meter dash (45.96 seconds, meet record), winning both events. The senior sprinter ended the day with two meet records and three first-place finishes after running the anchor leg of the 4x400-meter relay in a meet-record time of 3:09.45. The time ranks second in The American behind Houston’s top-current conference-leading 4x400m relay mark. Montgomery’s times in the 200m and 400m lead The American this season.
FEMALE TRACK ATHLETE OF THE WEEK
Grace Sullivan * Sr. * ECU * Charlotte, N.C.
Sullivan registered a trio of top-three finishes to help the Pirates capture their fourth-straight Bill Carson Invitational title. Competing in three distance races, Sullivan broke her own school record in the Steeplechase, turning in a time of 10:12.62 for first place. Her mark ranks 12th nationally, fifth in the NCAA East region and second in The American this season. Sullivan also placed second in the 5,000-meter run (17:44.60) and third in the 1,500-meter run (4:39.25).
MALE FIELD ATHLETE OF THE WEEK
Lagarious McQuirter * R-Fr. * Houston * Dayton, Texas
McQuirter finished first among all collegiate athletes and second in the field overall at the Houston Alumni Invitational as he used a top jump of 25-8.00 (7.82 meters) to move up to No. 7 nationally and take The American’s lead in the event by nearly three inches.
FEMALE FIELD ATHLETE OF THE WEEK
Annette Echikunwoke * R-Sr. * Cincinnati * Pickerington, Ohio
Echikunwoke, a USTFCCCA All-America thrower and 2017 indoor national weight throw champion, is back in action in 2019 after redshirting during the outdoor season last year. The senior picked up where she left off, winning both the shot put and hammer throw events at the Bearcats’ Oliver Nikoloff Invitational. Each of her top throws over the weekend lead The American this season. Her toss of 64.88 meters (212-10.00) in the hammer throw ranks 11th nationally and broke her own school record. Her shot put toss of 16.55 meters (54-03.75) ranks 12th nationally.