OVC Male Track Athlete of the Week
Robert Hooper, Sr., Tupelo, Miss. - Tennessee State
• Stood atop the podium in the 800-meters at the Vanderbilt Invite.
• Placed first out of 53 runners in a time of 1:51.87.
• The time ranks 44th in the country.
• A part of the 4x400 relay team that posted a 3:22.77.
• Member of the distance medley relay which finished in 10:57.93.
Others Nominated: Daniel Lacy, Eastern Illinois; Marcus Gordon Jr., Southeast Missouri; Angus Monro, UT Martin.
OVC Female Track Athlete of the Week
Chanel Honeywell, Sr., Kingston, Jamica – Lindenwood
• Claimed two podium finishes at the Show-Me Showdown hosted by the University of Missouri.
• Claimed the top spot in a field of 41 in the 200-meters.
• Set a personal record with the 48th best time in the nation (24.10).
• Placed third in the 60 meters crossing the line in 7.59.
• Both times rank first in the OVC
Others Nominated: Brenda Torres, Eastern Illinois; No• va Ojutkangas, Southeast Missouri; Addison Applegate, Southern Indiana; Paris Bowles, Tennessee Tech.
OVC Male Field Athlete of the Week
Marshall Swadley, Grad., Willard, Mo. – Southeast Missouri
• Earned two podium finishes at the Indiana Invite.
• Topped a field of 14 in the shot put with a throw of 60’6.75”.
• Defeated competitors from Ohio State, Alabama and Indiana.
• Finished third out of 16 in the weight throw with a distance of 65’4.25”.
Others Nominated: Sam Bradbury, Eastern Illinois; Kolby Jones, Tennessee State.
OVC Female Field Athlete of the Week
Clara Billing, Sr., Redbecksskolan, Sweden – Southeast Missouri
• Claimed the top podium spot in the pole vault at the Indiana Invite.
• Reached an OVC best height of 13’3.5” to place third out of 14 vaulters.
• The mark is ranked 41st in the nation.
Others Nominated: Abby Venhaus, Eastern Illinois; Ayana Pugh, Tennessee State.
OVC Male Freshman of the Week
Matt Pluff, Fr., Smithton, Ill. – Southeast Missouri
• Finished first in the high jump at the Indiana Invite.
• Bested 16 jumpers with a height of 6’9.75”.
• The height tops the OVC and ranks 54th in the country.
Others Nominated: Machi Nelson, Eastern Illinois; Kraedyn Young, Southern Indiana; Donte Barnes, Tennessee State; Isaac Boles, UT Martin.
OVC Female Freshman of the Week
Layla Bonilla, Fr., Chicago, Ill. – Eastern Illinois
• Earned a pair of top two finishes at the EIU John Craft Invite.
• Stood atop the podium defeating eight competitors with an OVC best leap of 39’8.75” in the triple jump.
• Finished second out of 10 with a height of 5’4.25” in the high jump.
• Both marks are personal records.
Others Nominated: Daphne Bishop, Southeast Missouri; Jane Lokiles, Tennessee Tech.
PREVIOUS WINNERS
OVC Male Track Athlete of the Week
Dec. 17 – Jeremiah Patton, Little Rock
Jan. 14 – Devin Jones, Tennessee State
Jan. 21 – Robert Hooper, Tennessee State
OVC Female Track Athlete of the Week
Dec. 17 – Sydney Burdine, Southeast Missouri
Jan. 14 – Madalyn Gray, Southeast Missouri
Jan. 21 – Chanel Honeywell, Lindenwood
OVC Male Field Athlete of the Week
Dec. 17 – Marshall Swadley, Southeast Missouri
Jan. 14 – Marshall Swadley, Southeast Missouri
Grant Milbrath, SIUE
Jan. 21 – Marshall Swadley, Southeast Missouri
OVC Female Field Athlete of the Week
Dec. 17 – Anna Thomason, Southeast Missouri
Jan. 14 – Liberty Blackburn, Southeast Missouri
Jan. 21 – Clara Billing, Southeast Missouri
OVC Male Freshman of the Week
Dec. 17 – Jeremiah Patton, Little Rock
Jan. 14 – Sam Afari, Morehead State
Jan. 21 – Matt Pluff, Southeast Missouri
OVC Female Freshman of the Week
Dec. 17 – Kalynn Pease, Morehead State
Jan. 14 – Kennedi Alford, Morehead State
Kale Clements, Southeast Missouri
Jan. 21 – Layla Bonilla, Eastern Illinois