In the final tuneup before the conference championship meet, Cal State Fullerton and UC Irvine competitors posted strong marks at the Oxy Invitational to earn Big West Track and Field Athlete of the Week honors.
Cal State Fullerton junior Katie Wilson (Ontario, Calif./Colony HS) garnered Women's Track At
hlete of the Week plaudits for her efforts in the 400 meter dash. She posted a season-best 54.59 to place sixth in the event. The time was the second-fastest in the Big West this season and moved her to 58th overall in the West Region.
Walter Whitaker (San Diego, Calif./Vista Murrieta HS) nabbed Men's Field Athlete of the Week honors as he excelled in the triple jump. The Cal State Fullerton sophomore soared to a personal-best 49-04.25 at the Oxy Invitational for a fifth place finish overall. The leap also boosted him to No. 3 in the Big West and No. 41 in the NCAA West Region.
UC Irvine sophomore Itos Aikhionbare (Eagle Rock, Calif./La Salle HS) notched her third Women's Field Athlete of the Week honor in the last four weeks. She won the shot put with a conference-leading mark of 51-5 (15.67m), surpassing her previous personal-best of 50-2. Aikhionbare also set the bar for the upcoming Big West Championships as he surpassed UC Santa Barbara senior Irene Kujore for the top spot. Kujore had held the No. 1 mark of 51-0 since Mar. 15. The 51-5 mark by Aikhionbare ranks No. 2 in UC Irvine history and scoots her closer to the school record of 51-9.75.
Others nominated (Men's Track): No nominees
Others nominated (Women's Track): None
Others nominated (Men's Field): None
Others nominated (Women's Field): None