UTEPs Janne Vartia has been named the Western Athletic Conference mens track and field athlete of the week.
Vartia, a junior from Espoo, Finland, won the hammer at the UTEP Twilight with an NCAA automatic qualifying distance of 226-4 (69.00m). The mark is the fourth best in the NCAA this season and the second best in the WAC. His throw, was eight feet better than his previous season best. It was the second time this season he has won the hammer.
Vartias next event is in Houston, Texas at the WAC Championship, May 15-18.
Others Nominated: SMUs Roman Oravec ran the 800m in a WAC-best time of 1:48.22 in his first race of the season. Kyle Carano of Fresno State set a new personal best in the triple jump with a distance of 52-1 at the Cal Poly Tri Meet.