SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – Several impressive performances to move up the national rankings earned four Summit League track and field student-athletes weekly accolades. Western Illinois’ Ackeen Colley and South Dakota’s Zack Anderson secured the men’s track and field honors while North Dakota State’s Jennie Baragar-Petrash and Maddy Nilles ran away with the awards on the women’s side.
 
Colley earned a spot in Western Illinois’ record book after clocking a new record time of 1:47.71 in the 800-meter to place second at the Ole Miss’ Joe Walker Invitational. His runner-up time is the fastest in the league for the event and sits ninth in the country so far this season.
 
Anderson cleared the Olympic Trials qualifying height winning the high jump at the South Dakota Challenge. He tied the NCAA lead after clearing 7-5 (2.26m) on a first attempt. The personal-best height extended his school record and his Lillibridge Track Complex and Gottsleben Field facility record.
 
Baragar-Petrash clocked a personal-best by 22 seconds in the 5,0000m to claim the event at the Tennessee Relays in a time of 15:53.40. Her winning time stands as the second-fastest 5000m time in program history, only behind Olympian Erin Teschuk. Baragar-Petrash’s time ranks 13^th overall in the nation this season.
 
Nilles extended her school record in the hammer throw by nearly four feet at the Tennessee Relays. She threw 224-3 (68.35m) to finish as the top collegiate athlete of the meet and second overall. Nilles’ throw ranks third on the NCAA performance list this season in the event and ranks fifth among all American women this year.

Ackeen Colley, Western Illinois
Sr | Mid-Distance | Lucea, Jamaica

• Collected his first career outdoor athlete of the week honor
• Finished runner-up in the 800m with a WIU record-breaking time of 1:47.71
• His time sits atop the league and ranks ninth in the NCAA this season

Also nominated: Demar Francis (South Dakota), Jacob Rodin (North Dakota State), Coby Hilton (South Dakota State)

Zack Anderson, South Dakota
Sr | High Jump | Parker, S.D.

• Earned his first career outdoor athlete of the week accolade
• Notched the Olympic Trials qualifying height clearing 7-5 (2.26m) to win the high jump
• His winning height ties for the NCAA lead in the event

Also nominated: Benji Phillips (North Dakota State), Evan Hieber (South Dakota State), Odin Nelson (North Dakota)
 


Jennie Baragar-Petrash, North Dakota State
Jr | Distance | Winnipeg, Manitoba

• Notched her first career outdoor athlete of the week award
• Won the 5,000m with a personal best time of 15:53.40
• Her winning time ranks 13^th in the NCAA this season

Also nominated: Sara Reifenrath (South Dakota), Ellie Friesen (South Dakota State), Erica Eades (North Dakota)

Maddy Nilles, North Dakota State
Sr | Throws | Sherrill, Iowa

• Earned her fourth career outdoor athlete of the week honor and second this season
• Extended her school record in the hammer throw with a mark of 224-3 (68.35m)
• Ranks third in the NCAA and fifth among all American women this year

Also nominated: Helen Falda (South Dakota), Katleyn Darnell (South Dakota State)
 
2021 Outdoor Track & Field Athletes of the Week
March 23
MT: Luke Labatte, North Dakota
MF: Chris Evenson, North Dakota
WT: Lucy Steinmeyer, North Dakota
WF: Destinee Rose-Haas, North Dakota
 
March 30
MT: Brithton Senior, South Dakota
MF: Trent Francom, South Dakota State
WT: Sara Reifenrath, South Dakota
WF: Maddy Nilles, North Dakota State
 
April 6
MT: Demar Francis, South Dakota
Co-MF: Ethan Bray, South Dakota
Co-MF: Trent Francom, South Dakota State
WT: Gabrielle Gibson, Oral Roberts
WF: Akealy Moton, North Dakota State
 
April 13
MT: Ackeen Colley, Western Illinois
MF: Zack Anderson, South Dakota
WT: Jennie Baragar-Petrash, North Dakota State
WF: Maddy Nilles, North Dakota State