McKenzie’s NCAA Lead Earns Big 12 Athlete of the Week Honors
Apr 24, 2019 | Track & Field
MANHATTAN, Kan. – After setting an NCAA lead in the women's 400-meter hurdles at the Michael Johnson Invitational last weekend, senior Ranae McKenzie was awarded Big 12 Athlete of the Week honors for the first time in her career, the league office announced on Wednesday.
McKenzie, of Manchester, Jamaica, ran the NCAA's fastest time by over a second at the Michael Johnson Invitational, finishing as the top collegian in the event in 56.11. McKenzie's time came on the same track that she won the Big 12 Championship in the event a year ago, where she ran a career-best 56.05.
"It's really a testament to her training and dedication. She has worked hard and if you look at her times from year to year, they have progressively gotten much better," Director of Track and Field and Cross Country Cliff Rovelto said.
At the Michael Johnson Invitational, McKenzie competed head-to-head with 2016 Olympic bronze medalist in the event, Ashley Spencer. McKenzie kept up with Spencer until after the final hurdle, where Spencer finished just before McKenzie in 55.84. McKenzie's time of 56.11 was the top collegian mark in the country and No. 11 mark in the world.
Senior Ranae McKenzie with the fastest 400 meter hurdles time (56.11) in the NCAA and the ninth-fastest in the world?? #KStateTF
— K-State Track (@KStateTFXC) April 21, 2019
It also comes on the same track that she won the Big 12 Outdoor title on a year ago, where she ran a 56.06 ??
?? https://t.co/U2Ft2zoFyK pic.twitter.com/xefMCyke2v
This marks the first Big 12 Athlete of the Week honor for McKenzie, becoming the 11th Wildcat on the women's team to claim the honor during the outdoor season, including the second this season. Between the K-State men's and women's teams, the Wildcats have won Big 12 Athlete of the Week for three consecutive weeks.
For a full recap of McKenzie the Wildcats' performance at the Michael Johnson Invitational, click here. This weekend, the Wildcats will be in action at the second-annual National Relay Championships held in Fayetteville, Arkansas on April 25-27.
For the latest on K-State track and field, follow @kstatesports and @KStateTFXC on Twitter using the hashtag #KStateTF or on the team's Facebook page.
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