Men’s Track Athlete of the Week
Brian Masai, Akron, Sophomore
Raleigh Relays, 5000M/1st, 13:34.26, 1 MAC/4 NCAA
Akron sophomore Brian Masai ran a school-record time in the men's 5,000 meters at the Raleigh Relays on Thursday (March 28). Masai opened his outdoor campaign breaking his own school record in the men's 5,000 meters crossing the line in 13:34.26 to place fourth. His performance is the No. 4 time in the NCAA this season and top-rated effort in the Mid-American Conference.
Men’s Field Athlete of the Week
Hunter Garretson, Akron, R-Junior
Texas Relays, PV Elite/1, 5.83m, 1 MAC/1 NCAA
Akron redshirt junior Hunter Garretson eclipsed a career-best and NCAA-leading mark of 19-1.50 (5.83m) to capture the men's pole vault invitational title on the final day of the Texas Relays on Saturday (March 30). After passing on the opening height in the competition, Garretson cleared bars at 17-8.50 (5.40m), 18-2.50 (5.55m) and 18-6.50 (5.65m) on his initial runs at the mark. He then eclipsed back-to-back career-high marks of 18-10.25 (5.75m) and 19-1.50 (5.83m), respectively, on his third attempts at each height. Garretson's clearance of 5.83m (19-1.50) surpasses the Olympic 'A' qualifying standard of 5.82m which will allow him to vie for an Olympic berth at the United States Olympic Trials in Eugene, Ore., June 21-30, 2024. His effort is second only in program history to Shawn Barber's mark of 19-5.50 (5.93m) in 2015.
Women’s Track Athlete of the Week
Kayla Schiera, Western Michigan, Grad Student
Raleigh Relays, 3,000-Meter Steeplechase/2nd, 10:03.93, 1 MAC/3 NCAA
Kayla Schiera had a dominant effort in the 3,000-meter steeplechase this weekend at the Raleigh Relays. She posted a time of 10:03.93, which currently sits as the best time in the MAC and is the third best time in the nation. Her time is more than 20 seconds faster than the next best time in the conference. Furthermore, she shattered the school record by more than 30 seconds and beat three All Americans from other programs in the race.
Women’s Field Athlete of the Week
Jenelle Rogers, Ball State, Senior
Texas Relays, Heptathlon/1st, 5,825, 1 MAC/1 NCAA
Rogers secured a big win at the Texas Relays, collecting a total of 5,825 points. She had many top finishes within the individual events, including the farthest throw in the shot put with a mark of 14.32m.
