Track and Field Program Announces Weekly Honors
May 15, 2002 | Track & Field
May 15, 2002
MANHATTAN, Kan. - Craig Smith, who went 23 feet past his personal best to set a school record in the men's javelin, headlined the Kansas State Track and Field Athletes of the Week as announced Wednesday by the coaching staff.
Smith was the Male Field Athlete of the Week after throwing 237 feet, 8 inches to win the Emporia Twilight Qualifier last Saturday. The sophomore from Hutchinson, Kan., had not appeared on the Wildcats' top-10 career list in the event before vaulting himself atop that same list with his throw. He became the first Wildcat male to hit an NCAA automatic-qualifying mark during this outdoor season.
"Craig has made amazing progress this year, adding some 46 feet to last year's personal best," said Wildcat throws coach Steve Fritz. "He just seems to continue to get better and better physically each week."
Jared MacLeod was the Male Track Athlete of the Week after hitting a season-best with a 14.00 clocking in the 110-meter hurdles to win the Nebraska Twilight meet last Saturday. His mark was the best by a Wildcat since Travis Livingston set the school record of 13.75 at the 1997 NCAA Nationals.
"Jared's time in the hurdles moved him into fourth on the conference list," said Wildcat head coach Cliff Rovelto. "His performance has proven how hard he has worked and how consistent he has become."
The Women's Track Athlete of the Week was senior Teena Clincy, who had a career-best 13.65 in the 100-meter hurdles to place second at the Emporia Twilight meet. She also moved into second place all-time at K-State in that event.
"Teena has been a great leader on and off the track," said Rovelto. "Her personal-record performance in the hurdles shows that she is right where she wants to be in terms of training the week before the conference meet."
Junior Rebekah Green was the Women's Field Athlete of the Week after winning both the shot put and discus at the Emporia meet. Green had season-bests of 53-11.75 in the shot put and 166-11 in the discus in the final meet of the regular season.
"I thought Rebekah had a great weekend," said Fritz. "She broke through in the discus, throwing a personal best with little wind. In the shot put, she had a very good series, getting close to really big throws a couple times."
Kansas State will compete in the Big 12 Conference Outdoor Championships this Friday through Sunday at the University of Missouri.
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