SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – For the second-straight week, a pair of teammates swept the TicketSmarter Summit League Cross Country Athlete of the Week awards as the South Dakota State tandem of Leah Hansen and Ben Olson collected the weekly awards, league officials announced Tuesday.
 
Hansen claimed the women's honor, while Olson earned the men's after both won individual championships at the SDSU Classic in Brookings, S.D.

MEN'S ATHLETE OF THE WEEK
Ben Olson, South Dakota State
Jr. | Coon Rapids, Minn.

• Won the SDSU Classic in an 8K personal-best time of 24:59.74
• Led a perfect 15-point sweep for SDSU, claiming the team title
• This is the first career Summit League weekly award for Olson

Also nominated: Justin Jelaca (North Dakota); Cody Jones (Oral Roberts); Payton Smith (North Dakota State)
 
WOMEN'S ATHLETE OF THE WEEK
Leah Hansen, South Dakota State
Jr. | Sioux Falls, S.D.

• Captured the SDSU Classic individual title with a 5K personal-best time of 17:56.91
• Has won back-to-back meets to start the season
• This is the first career Summit League weekly honor for Hansen

Also nominated: Ellyssa Peterson (North Dakota); Megan Lundstrom (Oral Roberts); Allie Wahlund (North Dakota State)
 
2021 Cross Country Athletes of the Week
September 7
M: Merga Gemeda, South Dakota
W: Abby Ripperda, South Dakota

September 14
M: Ben Olson, South Dakota State
W: Leah Hansen, South Dakota State
 
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