DENVER - Idaho's Liga Velvere and Kristine Leonard have been named the Verizon Western Athletic Conference Women's Indoor Track and Field Athletes of the Week, respectively, for the week of Feb. 14-20.
Velvere, a sophomore from Saldus, Latvia (Latvian Academy of Sport Education), had a career day at the Washington State University Open II Feb. 19 in Pullman, Wash. Velvere claimed the 400-meter title after running the race in a career-best and school-record time of 56.16, beating the next closest competitor by three seconds. Velvere's time was converted to a WAC-best 55.46 after track size was taken into consideration. She now holds the WAC's fastest times in both the 400m and 800m this season.
Leonard, a sophomore from Rathdrum, Idaho (Concordia University), followed Velvere's lead by claiming the shot put title at the WSU Open II. Leonard claimed victory in the event with a season-best toss of 45 ft., 3.5 in. (13.80m), giving her the fifth best mark in the WAC this season. She also competed in the weight throw, where she claimed seventh place with a season-best toss of 48 ft., 5.25 in. (14.76m).