DENVER ? Idaho’s Bastien Tardy and Russ Winger have been named the Western Athletic Conference Men’s Outdoor Track and Field Athletes of the Week for the week of May 12-18. This is the first career WAC Outdoor Athlete of the Week honor for Tardy and the third career honor for Winger. This is the first season that honors for both “Track” and “Field” athletes will be awarded each week.
Tardy, a senior from Voisins le Brettoneux, France, (Southeastern Louisiana), became the 11th Vandal men’s athlete to earn an NCAA Regional qualifying standard, clocking a lifetime-best 1:50.11 in the 800-meter run at the Oregon Twilight in Eugene, Ore. Tardy’s time is second-best in the WAC by .03 seconds and places him 12th in the West Region this season.
Winger, a senior from Colorado Springs, Colo., (Pine Creek), extended his NCAA lead in the shot put by nearly two-feet with another personal-best launch of 68’ 5.25” (20.86m), finishing second only behind reigning world champion Christian Cantwell at the Modesto Relays. Winger also placed third in the discus with a toss of 195’ 3” (59.52m).
Other Track nominees included: James Allred of Utah State took second in the 400-meter dash at the Utah Collegiate Challenge in Salt Lake City, clocking a personal-best time of 48.60.
Other Field nominees included: Gary Lee of Fresno State set a new Bulldog freshman record in the long jump with a personal-best leap of 25’ 6.25” (7.78m) to finish sixth at the Modesto Relays ... Blake Hadfield of Utah State won the long jump at the Utah Collegiate Challenge with a distance of 23’ 7.5” (7.20m).
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