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OGDEN, Utah (January 17, 2017) – The Big Sky Conference has selected the first men’s and women’s Track and Field Athletes of the Week for the year of 2017. Portland State’s Akayla Anderson is the women’s Track Athlete of the Week while Southern Utah’s Tre James took the men’s track honors. Montana State’s Kyle Douglass claimed men’s Field recognition while Northern Arizona’s Brooke Andersen was named women’s Field Athlete of the Week.
Anderson, a senior from New York City, N.Y., advanced to the finals of the 60-meter hurdles at the UW Indoor Preview with a solid opening time of 8.60 seconds. She ran 8.66 in the finals to place seventh overall. Anderson’s time ranks second in the Big Sky and owns the top 60-meter hurdle time with places 1, 3 and 4 being converted from 55-meter hurdle times. Anderson is a two-time All-Big Sky performer in the 60 hurdles, placing second at the previous two Big Sky meets. She also is coming off a victory in the 100-meter hurdles outdoors in 2016.
James, a freshman from Las Vegas, Nev., broke the SUU school record in the 60-meter dash with a clocking of 6.70 seconds to win the event at the NAU Friday Night Duels. He also moved into a tie for second in Big Sky history, now only trailing Cal State Northridge’s Marcus Bivines who ran a time of 6.68 in 1999. James, who’s father is the school record holder in the 100-meter dash outdoors, also placed second in the 200 with a time of 21.65.
Andersen, a junior from Vista, Calif., broke an NAU school record on her first attempt in the weight throw with a winning distance of 66 feet, 9 3/4 inches (20.36m) at NAU’s Friday Night Duels. She eclipsed former NAU record holder Lauren Stuart to additionally displace her in the Big Sky rankings as well with Andersen now sitting fifth all-time in league history. Andersen ranks seventh in the country with that mark.
Douglass, a junior from Missoula, Mont., opened up the season with a career best of 58-4 1/2 (17.79m) in the shot put at the MSU Invitational. He earned that mark on the first attempt of the event, taking over the Big Sky lead by over six inches. Douglass improved to fifth in school history with that mark and earned his second career Athlete of the Week nod.
Other Women’s Track Nominations: Maisie Larabee - Idaho State; Jessica Bailey - Montana; Amanda Jaynes - Montana State; Moriah Zachary - Northern Colorado; Josie Riggs - Southern Utah; Tawnie Moore - Weber State
Other Women’s Field Nominations: Bailey Woodbury - Idaho State; Nicole Stroot - Montana; Katelyn Weber - North Dakota; Julliette Cossey - Northern Colorado; Ta’Mara Richey - Portland State; Celia Halpin - Southern Utah; Natasha Powell - Weber State
Other Men’s Track Nominations: Robert Counts - Idaho State; Callum Macnab - Montana; Matthew Gotta - Montana State; James Fisher - Northern Arizona; Mitchell Gable - Portland State; Jordan Cross - Weber State
Other Men’s Field Nominations: Aaron Cunningham - Eastern Washington; Arphaxad Carroll - Idaho; Justin Franz - Idaho State; Zachary Ray - North Dakota; Adam Keenan - Northern Arizona; Donte Robinson - Portland State; Jayson Kovar - Southern Utah; Trey Deveraux - Weber State