(2-3-09) From USATF Press Release - University of Oregon junior Ashton Eaton has been named USA Track & Field's Athlete of the Week after winning the men's heptathlon over the weekend at the Washington Invitational Saturday in Seattle, Wash.
The 2008 NCAA Outdoor champion, Eaton set a personal and school record in winning the men's heptathlon with 6,174 points. He won six of the seven events, including the 60m (6.84), long jump (7.59m/24-11), high jump (2.10m/6-10.5), 60mH (7.91), pole vault (4.97m/16-3.5) and 1,000m (2:39.92). It is the second-best indoor heptathlon in NCAA history.
Elsewhere, Stanford freshman Chris Derrick won the men's 5,000m in 13:44.02, the fastest time ever run by an American junior. It also is the third fastest indoor 5,000m time in school history and the fastest collegiate time in the nation so far this year.
Now in its eighth year, USATF's Athlete of the Week program is designed to recognize outstanding performers at all levels of the sport. USATF names a new honoree each week and features the athlete on the USATF website. Selections are based on top performances and results from the previous week.
2009 USATF Athlete of the Week Winners: January 6, Mason Finley; January 13, Amber Campbell; January 20, Josh Cox; January 27, German Fernandez; February 3, Ashton Eaton.
More: www.usatf.org.
