The SEMO Track & Field teams are hitting full stride already this outdoor season. Redhawk student-athletes have claimed OVC Athlete of the Week honors in each of the first two weeks of the season, and SEMO is coming off a strong showing in Carbondale.
Last week, Redhawk men swept the OVC Athlete of the Week awards. Sophomore Nick Bryant was named Track Athlete of the Week, after finishing as runner-up in the 400 meters with a time of 48.60. He was also 12th in the 200 meters with a career-best 22.66 and was part of the 4x400 meter relay that finished in fifth (3:23.04). Meanwhile, Nick South was named Field Athlete of Week. He placed second in the pole vault at the South Alabama Invitational. His distance of 16-02.75 set a new career record and is currently first in the OVC.
Yesterday, senior Kaitlyn Shea was named OVC Female Track Athlete of the Week. Shea won the 5,000 meters at the SIU Bill Cornell Classic. She posted a career-best time of 16:27.27 to move her into the top spot on SEMO’s all-time list. Her time is the best in the OVC this season and ranks fifth in the NCAA. She helped lead the Redhawk women to a dominant first place team finish by nearly 40 points at the meet.
Meanwhile at SIU, the Redhawks men finished second place, including first place finishes by Bryant and South in the 400m and pole vault, respectively.
The Redhawks will continue their outdoor season this weekend at the Ole Miss Invite. Next weekend – April 2 and 3 – SEMO will host the Joey Haines Invitational at the Abe Stuber Track & Field Complex on SEMO’s campus. Spectators are welcome to attend the event, and admission is free and open to the public.
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