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 21.
MALE TRACK ATHLETE OF THE WEEK
Obi Igbokwe * Sr. * Houston * Houston, Texas
Igbokwe ran the fastest 400-meter dash in The American this season, placing first among collegiate athletes at the Mt. SAC Relays in Torrance, Calif., with his time of 45.91 seconds. His mark ranks 13th nationally. Igbokwe also ran as part of the top 4x400-meter relay squad in The American this year, which placed second at the meet with a time of 3:05.05—good for ranking 12th in the NCAA this season.
FEMALE TRACK ATHLETE OF THE WEEK
Chelsea Francis * Jr. * SMU * Carrollton, Texas
Francis posted a pair of podium finishes at the Bryan Clay Invitational, finishing second in the 100-meter dash and third in the 200-meter dash. With her 100m time of 11.35 seconds, she reclaimed the top spot on The American’s performance list. Her time also ranks 10th in the NCAA West region and 22nd overall in the nation. Francis placed second in the 100m race but was the first collegiate athlete to cross the finish line. She also ran the 200m in 22.26 seconds for the second-best time in The American this year, which ranks 30th nationally. It was the fastest 200m clocked in The American last week by 0.40 seconds.
MALE FIELD ATHLETE OF THE WEEK
Aaron True * Sr. * Wichita State * Leroy, Kan.
True takes home his third American weekly honor in five weeks after winning the 92nd Kansas Relays javelin throw competition. True registered a season-best distance of 75.33 meters (247-1), bettering his No. 1 ranking in The American and moving up to No. 3 in the NCAA this season. His throw leads the NCAA West region, as True has won all three javelin competitions entered in 2019.
FEMALE FIELD ATHLETE OF THE WEEK
Rebekah Markel * Sr. * Tulane * Lafayette, La.
Markel continued her winning ways, capturing her fourth pole vault title of the outdoor season at the LSU Alumni Gold meet. Markel cleared 4.20 meters (13-9.25), tying her second-best mark of the season to secure the pole vault crown. Her clearance ranks 34th in the NCAA, as the senior also owns the top pole vault mark in The American, clearing 4.21 meters (13-9.75) earlier this year.