Four different institutes snatched weekly honors this week as the Big West Conference announces the track male and female and field male and female athletes of the week. In the track competitions, both UC Santa Barbara’s Ryan Martin and UC Irvine’s Ericka Nowell received Track Athlete of the Week for their national marks made in individual competition. Big West Field Athletes of the Week, Long Beach State’s Ben Woodruff and UC Riverside’s Ashley Gatewood are both recognized, now have received mutliple weekly honorees this season.
Lake Forest native, Ryan Martin is named for his first Big West weekly recognition this season after posting the second fastest time in the country (1:46.54) in the 800-meter event. The senior helped the Gaucho men’s squad to their first Cal/Nevada Championship team title.
Irvine’s junior, Ericka Nowell got a spot at the top after winning the 400-meter hurdles with a time of 58.95 at the Cal/Nevada Championship, good enough for 13th in the nation. From Perris, Calif., Nowell now leads the Big West this sesaon in that catagory, while also participating in the Anteaters season-best finish in the 4x400 relay (3:43.13).
Long Beach State’s Ben Woodruff is being reconized for the second time this season ofr his outstanding participation in the field events. Last week Woodruff posted a lifetime best performance in his 71.88 javelin throw, being awarded Field Athlete of the Meet at the Cal/Nevada Championships and making top ranks across the board. The Redondo Beach senior is ranked No. 1 in the Big West, No. 3 in the NCAA West Region, No. 9 nationally, and No. 2 in all-time at Long Beach State.
Bringing in the season high, three weekly honors, Ashley Gatewood was voted as field athlete of the week. The Highlander's senior was named field athlete of the meet at the Cal/Nevada Championships for her appearance in the javelin, hammer throw and shot put competitions. The Montclair native placed first in the javelin (161’ 6”) and hammer throw (186’ 3”) while finishing sixth in the shot put (45’ 3”) event.
Others nominated: Chris Lawson (Long Beach State) (Men’s Track)
Ashley Sims (Cal State Fullerton), Jessica Barnard (Long Beach State) Justine Diaz (UC Santa Barbara) (Women’s Track)
Ryan Swafford (UC Riverside), Mitchell Haag (UC Santa Barbara) (Men’s Field)
Katrina Graves-Johnson (Long Beach State), Ashley Hearn (UC Davis) (Women’s Field)