TicketSmarter WAC Cross Country Athletes of the Week Announced
DENVER – Lamar's George Wheeler and Yasmin Austridge have been named the TicketSmarter Western Athletic Conference Men's and Women's Cross Country Athletes of the Week, respectively, for September 21 through September 27.
Wheeler, a freshman from Milton Keynes, England, turned in an individual first-place finish last week, helping Lamar claim the team title at the McNeese Cowboy Stampede. At 18 minutes and 43.4 seconds, Wheeler spanned the 4-mile course more than 21 seconds faster than any competitor to mark the fastest time the WAC has seen this year. This also marks Wheeler's second individual win in as many races as he took the top spot at the Rice Invitational to open his collegiate career.
Austridge, a freshman from London, England, was the Cardinals' top finisher at the Cowboy Stampede as she posted a time of 17:43.9 in the 5,000-meter contest. This also marks the quickest 5K time in the WAC thus far, joining teammate Wheeler as a WAC front runner.
Other Men's Nominees: Grand Canyon's Jacob Lewis was the Lopes' top finisher at the Roy Griak Invitational, placing 50th with a time of 25:40.0… Tarleton's Kevin Baez posted Tarleton's fastest 8K time in over a decade, finishing with a time of 24:01.30 to place 6th at the Texas A&M Invitational… Utah Valley's Habtamu Cheney led the Wolverine men on Saturday as he placed second overall with a time of 18:31.6 in the 6K race at the Idaho State Open.
Other Women's Nominees: Grand Canyon's Hana Hall paced the Lopes this weekend as she took 91st out of 234 runners at the Roy Griak Invitational with a personal best 6K time of 23:03.2… Tarleton's Brooke Wendel came away from the Texas A&M Invitational as the Texans' top finisher, crossing the finish line at 18:44.30 on the 5K course… Utah Valley's Zoe Hales helped UVU pick up a third-place team finish at the Idaho State Open as she finished third overall with a time of 22:34.0 in the 6K meet.