NEW ORLEANS – Two members of the University of South Alabama track and field team were named Sun Belt Conference Athletes of the Week Wednesday. Distance runner Tori Lawson (Ocala, Fla.) earned Female Track Athlete-of-the-Week honors, while teammate Joey Torres (Navarre, Fla.) was recognized as Male Field Athlete of the Week for the second time this season.
“I’m really proud of both of them,” USA head track and field coach Paul Brueske said. “They’re both young athletes and already making an impact in the conference.”
Lawson earned the honor after racing in the 3,000-meter steeplechase for the first time in her collegiate Saturday at the Coach “O” Invitational. After outrunning the competition by over 30 seconds with a time of 11.29.90, the freshman climbed the SBC rankings to the number four spot and topped USA’s all-time list in the event. Lawson’s performance provided the only victory of the day for the Lady Jags.
“For Tori, this was a great experience. The steeplechase is incredibly tough on the body and she’s not the best hurdler,” USA distance coach Tim Goldsack said. “She had to work really hard all semester to become proficient enough in the hurdles to compete in the event. She really felt that this was her event, and it was really exciting to see her perform so well.”
Torres claims his second award for Male Track Athlete of the Week after earning the honor four weeks ago for his performance in the discus at the “Battle of I-10” USA Tri-meet. This week, the sophomore grabbed the honor after placing second in the hammer throw with a personal-best 58.99m/193-6.25 toss. Torres broke teammate Stephen Noble’s record in the event and soared to the top of the SBC rankings, besting the second-ranked mark by over two feet.
“He’s making steady improvement each week,” Brueske said. “He keeps getting better and better and we’re really proud of his efforts.”
The Jags will return to action May 7-9 at the Sun Belt Conference Outdoor Championships in Denton, Texas.
For more information about South Alabama athletics, check back with www.usajaguars.com. Season tickets for all Jaguar athletic events can be purchased by calling (251) 461-1USA (1872).
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