MAC Announces Indoor Track & Field Athletes of the Week
Men’s Track Athlete of the Week
Tyler Underwood, Eastern Michigan, 300m/60m
Senior – Clinton, Michigan/Clinton
Eastern Michigan senior Tyler Underwood opened his senior campaign with a stellar performance at the GVSU Holiday Open, Friday, Dec. 7. His accolades included a 33.65 finish in the 300m, the second-fastest time recorded in the nation so far this season. His finish also marked his name in the Eastern Michigan record books as the second-fastest time in the event in program history. Underwood also added a seventh-place 60m finish, running the sprint in 6.96 seconds.
Women’s Track Athlete of the Week
Sydney Meyers, Eastern Michigan, 5000m
Senior – Zionsville, Indiana/Zionsville Community
Eastern Michigan senior and team captain Sydney Meyers opened her senior campaign with a 16:15.04 time in the 5000m event, finishing more than eight seconds before the field of competitors. Her time is the best mark in the conference this season and 24th best in the NCAA. The ZIonsville, Ind. native's event title led the Eagles to a first-place finish in their season opening meet.
Men’s Field Athlete of the Week
Zach Harkey, Eastern Michigan, Shot Put/Weight Throw
Senior – Huron, Ohio/Huron
Eastern Michigan senior Zach Harkey recorded school and career-best performances at the GVSU Holiday Open, highlighted by his weight throw, clearing 19.74m meters, good for first-place. The throw marked the fourth-furthest weight throw in program history, while also marking the senior's career-best mark, and the top-ranked throw in the MAC. The Huron, Ohio native also recorded his career-best shot put throw at the event, clearing 15.69m (51-05.75), good for sixth place. His shot put mark is also the top-ranked throw in the conference this season.
Women’s Field Athlete of the Week
Janelle Perry, Central Michigan, Long Jump
Senior – Akron, Ohio/Firestone
Posting the top mark of 19 feet, 11 inches in the women's long jump at the GVSU Holiday Open, Perry tied the Kelly Family Sports Center record. Her effort not only ranks first in the league and automatically qualifies her, it also ranks fourth among all NCAA Division I jumpers.
Other Nominees:
Brandon Burke, Buffalo, High Jump
Sophomore – Churchville, New York/Byron-Bergen
Burke opened his season with a MAC Auto mark in the High jump, clearing 2.05m/6’8.75” and currently leads the MAC in the event. This is Brandon’s strongest first meet performance and is just 1cm off his indoor all-time best.
Anthony Clark, Buffalo, 60m Hurdles
Senior – Rochester, New York/Gates Chili
Anthony blazed his way to a new personal best and a MAC Auto qualifying mark in the 60HH of 7.18, which ranks him #2 in the MAC. Anthony came back in the finals of the 60HH to place 4th overall of 31 competitors.
Kadian Clarke, Eastern Michigan, Shot Put/Weight Throw
Sophomore – Kingston, Jamaica
Eastern Michigan sophomore Kadian Clarke began her second collegiate campaign with a program-record performance at the GVSU Holiday Open, Friday, Dec. 7. Her 17.66m weight throw was good for a fifth-place overall finish, as well as marking the second-furthest throw in program history. She also cleared 12.99m in the shot put, good for a 6th place overall finish.
Samantha Cuneo, Central Michigan, 300m
Senior – Rockford, Michigan/Rockford
After redshirting last season, Cuneo made a strong return to competition Saturday at the GVSU Open where she clocked a 39.33 to win the 300m-dash. In addition to her individual win Cuneo also ran the anchor leg on CMU's 4x400 relay team, which finished third in 3:50.22.
Ericka Hibser, Northern Illinois, 5000m
Senior – Lewistown, Illinois/Lewiston
NIU senior Ericka Hibser ran a MAC Championship qualifying time of 16:49.37 in the GVSU Holiday Open. Competing in the first meet of the season for the Huskies, Hibser finished 11th.
Hannah Roof, Buffalo, Pole Vault
Junior – Honeoye Falls, New York/Honeoye Falls-Lima
Hannah set a new personal best by nearly 6” in the PV, clearing 12’2.5” tying for 2nd place at the Youngstown State Icebreaker Invite. She currently is tied for 3rd in the MAC with teammate Earnie Burapan.
Amy Villarini, Buffalo, 400m/4x4
Senior – Hamburg, New York/Hamburg
Amy Villarini ran a strong opening 400m, placing 4th overall in the Youngstown State Icebreaker Invite. Her time of 56.68 is only .2 off her lifetime best and ranks her #4 in the MAC. Amy came back to anchor the 4 x 400 relay leading her team to a 2nd place finish.
