DENVER – Idaho’s Andrew Bloom and Utah Valley’s Michael McPherson have been named the Western Athletic Conference men’s track and field Athletes of the Week, respectively, for Feb. 17-23.
Bloom, a senior from Walla Walla, Wash. (Walla Walla HS), competed Saturday at the WSU Open II for the Vandals and won the 400-meters with a time of 48.62. Bloom will be ranked second in the conference in the 400-meters going into the WAC Indoor Track and Field Championships this week.
McPherson, a junior from Parker, Colo. (Chaparral Parker HS), became the first-ever Wolverine to compete at the USA Track & Field Indoor Championships this past weekend as he took part in the heptathlon in Albuquerque, N.M. McPherson didn’t disappoint, as he set two school records and four personal bests in the seven events, en route to his fifth-place finish in the heptathlon. McPherson set UVU records in both the heptathlon, with 5,535 points, and the 1000-meter run, with a time of 2:43.15. His four personal-bests came in shot put (10.61m), 60m hurdles (8.25), pole vault (4.30m), and the 1000m run. He also won the 60m dash during the heptathlon with a time of 6.91 seconds. McPherson leads the WAC in the heptathlon, and after his big outing in Albuquerque, now ranks 11th in the nation. He is striving to become Utah Valley’s first-ever competitor to participate at the NCAA Track & Field Indoor Championships in mid-March.
Other Track Nominees: Daniel Prioleau , Kansas City … Matin Casse, Texas-Pan American.
Other Field Nominees: Kory Jackson, Chicago State … Arphaxad Carrol, Idaho … Blake Hocking, Kansas City.