BEST LIST
Co-MALE TRACK ATHLETE OF THE WEEK
Troy McKnight, R-Jr., Irving, Texas – Little Rock
McKnight edged a four-time All-American by the closest possible margin – one thousandth of a second – to win gold in the 60m dash at the Vanderbilt Invitational last week. McKnight’s time of 6.71 in the finals matches the second-best time in school history and is the fastest time clocked by an OVC sprinter since 2015 makes him only the fourth OVC sprinter since 2011 to run a time under 6.75 in the 60m dash. The finals win marked McKnight’s first career gold medal in an individual race (indoors and outdoors combined) and currently ranks 35
th in the nation.
Will Cahill, So., Lexington, Ky. – UT Martin
Cahill set a new personal-record while shattering the Bellarmine Open meet record with a first-place finish in the men’s 3k. His time of 8:18.2 finished just two seconds off the program’s all-time record while marking the fastest 3k time in the OVC this season.
Others nominated: Cameron Yaraborough, Eastern Illinois; Maxime Touron, Lindenwood; Kyle Embry, Morehead State; Jackson Edwards, SIUE
FEMALE TRACK ATHLETE OF THE WEEK
Amara Nwajagu, So., Fayetteville, Ga. – Tennessee Tech
Nwajagu had a pair of top-ten finishes at the Bellarmine Open last week. She took second in the 400-meters and placed sixth in the 200. Her 400-meter time of 57.59 is currently first in the OVC while her 200-meter time of 25.30 ranks sixth.
Other nominated: Akiya Kollore, Eastern Illinois; Gabby Russina, Lindenwood; Matilda Horton, Little Rock; Lucy Singleton, Morehead State; Kailah Carter, SIUE; McKenna Cavanaugh, Southern Indiana; Janay Champan, UT Martin
MALE FIELD ATHLETE OF THE WEEK
Luke Hatfield-Jackson, Sr., Arnold, Mo. – Southeast Missouri
Hatfield-Jackson took first in the high jump at the John Gartland Invitational. He set the Indiana State facility record and a SEMO school record in the high jump, achieving a new career-best with a 7-0.50 (2.15m). His mark ranks first in the OVC and eighth in the nation.
Others nominated: Bradley Olysay, Eastern Illinois; Desmond Frazier, Little Rock; Joel Degracia, SIUE; Kyle Crone, Southern Indiana; MJ Jackson, UT Martin
FEMALE FIELD ATHLETE OF THE WEEK
Kendall Medders, Jr., Knoxville, Tenn. – Tennessee Tech
Medders placed third in the high jump at the Bellarmine Invitational last week. Her mark of 5-5 is a personal best and is currently tied for first in the OVC this season.
Others nominated: Taylor Iverson, Eastern Illinois; Janae Largins, Little Rock; Kaitlyn McGinnitey, Southeast Missouri; Maryiah Menicucci, SIUE
MALE FRESHMAN OF THE WEEK
Parker Feuerborn, Fr., - Southeast Missouri
Feuerborn set a new personal-best In the men’s weight throw on Saturday, tossing the weight 71-08.75 (21.86m). In doing so, he set a school record, a meet record, and a facility record as the Redhawks claimed the top two spots in the event. The mark is also tops in the OVC this season.
Others nominated: TJ Garland, Eastern Illinois; Jayden Stevenson, Little Rock; Konrad Sacha, SIUE
FEMALE FRESHMAN OF THE WEEK
Sidnee Stanton, Fr., Knoxville, Tenn. – Tennessee Tech
Stanton took home a pair of second-place finishes at the Bellarmine Open last week. She finished second in the long jump with a leap of 18-04.50 while also placing second in the triple jump with a mark of 27-10.75. Her long jump mark is second in the OVC this season while her triple jump ranks fifth.
Others nominated: Mackenzie Aldridge, Eastern Illinois; Jasmine Torres, Little Rock; Natalia Davis, Morehead State; Maryiah Menicucci, SIUE; Emily Rempe, Southern Indiana; Alaina Gordon, UT Martin
2023 OVC Athletes of the Week
Male Track Athletes of the Week
Jan. 11. – Jaime Marcos, Eastern Illinois
Jan. 18 - Troy McKnight, Little Rock
Jan. 25 – Troy McKnight, Little Rock; Will Cahill, UT Martin
Female Track Athletes of the Week
Jan. 11 – Akiya Kollore, Eastern Illinois
Jan. 18 – Landri Schreier, Little Rock; Serenity Harry, Tennessee State
Jan. 25 – Amara Nwajagu, Tennessee Tech
Male Field Athletes of the Week
Jan. 11 – Matthew Fox, Little Rock; Luke Hatfield-Jackson, Southeast Missouri
Jan. 18 – Johnathan Jones, Little Rock
Jan. 25 – Luke Hatfield-Jackson, Southeast Missouri
Female Field Athletes of the Week
Jan. 11 – Elaine Housworth, Tennessee State
Jan. 18 – Serena Williams, Southeast Missouri; Elaine Housworth, Tennessee State
Jan. 25 – Kendall Medders, Tennessee Tech
Male Freshman of the Week
Jan. 11 – Thurman McMullan, Tennessee State
Jan. 18 – Hayden Wilson, Little Rock
Jan. 25 – Parker Feuerborn, Southeast Missouri
Female Freshman of the Week
Jan. 11 – Leilany Laureano, Tennessee State
Jan. 18 – Serenity Harry, Tennessee State
Jan. 25 – Sidnee Stanton