DENVER SMUs Mindi Pukstas has been named the Western Athletic Conference mens Outdoor Track and Field Athlete of the Week.
Pukstas, a senior from Kaunas, Lithuania, earned his second back-to-back athlete of the week honor, winning the 3,000 meter steeplechase at the Texas Relays by over 10 seconds. His time of 8:49.87 is best in the WAC this season and an NCAA regional-qualifying mark. Pukstas has previously won the WAC athlete of the week honors, Jan. 27, Feb. and Mar. 31. Pukstas is husband to fellow Mustang Zivile Pukstiene, who earned athlete of the week honors for her performance in the triple jump.
Additional nominees included: Billy Threets, Louisiana Tech; Jason Powell, Rice and Dirk de Heer, UTEP
SMUs Zivile Pukstiene has been named the Western Athletic Conference womens Outdoor Track and Field Athlete of the Week.
Pukstiene, a senior from Kaunas, Luthuania, won the triple jump at the Texas Relays, with a distance of 13.54m. The mark is the best in the WAC this season by 1.5m and is an NCAA regional-qualifying mark. Pukstiene is wife to fellow Mustang Mindi Pukstas, who earned athlete of the week honors for his performance in the steeplechase.
Additional nominees included: Mariela Guante, Louisiana Tech; Caira Hane, Nevada; Allison Beckford, Rice and Corine van Beek, UTEP