Texas Tech’s Kyle Thompson (pole vault) and Baylor’s Taylor Bennett (200m) have earned the final Big 12 Indoor Track and Field Athlete of the Week awards of 2016 with personal records in their respective events. Thompson soared to a PR 5.42m/17-9.25 pole vault en route to tying for the best clearance at the event and Bennett’s 23.24 PR in the 200m earned her a meet victory. The weekly honors are the first for both competitors.
BIG 12 TRACK & FIELD MALE ATHLETE OF THE WEEK
Kyle Thompson, Texas Tech, Pole Vault, Sr., Argyle, Texas
Thompson put together a career day in the men’s pole vault on Friday at the Arkansas Qualifier. His double PR in the event gave him the best clearance in the event, tying with Justin Estala of ORU. It also mared the second-best in the NCAA last week at 5.42m/17-9.25. After clearing 5.22m/17-1.5, Thompson faced an indoor PR of 5.32m/17-5.5 and sailed over the bar on his third attempt at the height. In the past, his personal-best marks have often come in pairs and Friday was no exception. On his third jump at the height, Thompson rocketed himself over the bar and landed on the mat with an all-time best of 5.42m/17-9.25. The mark was also the fourth-best clearance in school history and propelled him to a No. 10 ranking in the NCAA this season.
BIG 12 TRACK & FIELD FEMALE ATHLETE OF THE WEEK
Taylor Bennett, Baylor, 200-meter, Fr., Klein, Texas
At the Arkansas Qualifier at Randal Tyson Track Center, freshman Taylor Bennett highlighted the BU contingent’s night by winning the 200-meter dash in a personal-best time of 23.24. That time moved Bennett up to No. 11 on the NCAA indoor performance list for the current season and registered as the ninth-fastest time in school history. It is also the second-fastest time in the Big 12 this year. Bennett also ran a 7.54 time in the 60-meter dash prelims, which qualified her for the finals of the event by placing fourth. To get ready for the 200-meter race, Bennett did not run in the final of the 60-meter dash.
2016 Big 12 Indoor Track & Field Athletes of the Week
| Date |
Player of the Week |
Newcomer of the Week |
| January 20 |
Ryan Crouser, Texas, Sr. |
Daina Levy, Kansas, Sr. |
| |
Chris Caldwell, Texas Tech, Sr. |
|
| January 27 |
George Caddick, Baylor, Jr. |
Akela Jones, Kansas State, Sr. |
| February 3 |
Ronnie Baker, TCU, Sr. |
Sharon Lokedi, Kansas, So. |
| February 10 |
Bradley Adkins, Texas Tech, Sr. |
Courtney Okolo, Texas, Sr. |
| February 17 |
Ryan Crouser, Texas, Sr. |
Texas 4x400-meter relay
(Chrisann Gorgon, Morolake Akinosun,
Ariel Jones and Courthney Okolo)
|
| February 24 |
Kyle Thompson, Texas Tech, Sr. |
Taylor Bennett, Baylor, Fr. |