SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – Student-athletes from Kansas City, South Dakota State and Western Illinois were represented in this week’s Summit League TicketSmarter Indoor Track and Field Peak Performer of the Week honors, League officials announced Tuesday. SDSU’s Pierre Lear grabbed his second consecutive honor while Kansas City's Benjamin Owere picked up his first on the men’s side. For the women, fellow Roo Ally Ryan and WIU’s Nakeita Kessling walked away with the awards.
 
For the second straight week, Lear broke his own school record in the 60-meter hurdles. He clocked a blistering 7.91 seconds to win the event at the Ice Breaker Open & Multi. He also clocked a personal-best time of 22.83 in the 200m to finish ninth.
 
At the Crimson and Gold Invitational, Owere earned two top-five finishes in his individual field events. He finished runner-up in the triple jump after making a personal-best leap of 47-04.5 (14.44m) in the event. He also had a personal-best mark of 21-08.75 (6.62m) in the long jump to take fourth overall.
 
Ryan took the mile title in record-breaking fashion at the Crimson and Gold Invitational. She won the event with a program record and personal-best time of 4:48.63. She also ran a leg of the 4x400m relay that took seventh with a time of 3:55.94.
 
At the Jimmy Grant Invite, Kessling finished in the top three of both of her field events. She lept a personal-best distance of 37-08.75 (11.50m) to take second place in the triple jump. She also finished third in the long jump with a mark of 18-03.75 (5.58m).
 
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MEN’S TRACK PEAK PERFORMER OF THE WEEK
Pierre Lear, South Dakota State
Jr | Sprints | Watertown, S.D.

• Collected his second consecutive weekly award and second of his career
• Broke his own school record from the week prior in the 60m hurdles with a time of 7.91
• Ranks 10^th in the NCAA in the event

Also nominated: Lucas Hofer (Western Illinois), Bret Beard (Kansas City), Eric Douville (St. Thomas)
 
MEN’S FIELD PEAK PERFORMER OF THE WEEK
Benjamin Owere, Kansas City
Sr | Jumps | Kansas City, Mo.

• Earned his first career weekly award
• Finished runner-up in the triple jump with a personal-best mark of 47-04.5 (14.44m)
• Took fourth in the long jump with a personal-best mark of 21-08.75 (6.62m)
• Ranks 39^th in the nation in the triple jump

Also nominated: Arnie Grundert (Western Illinois)
 
WOMEN’S TRACK PEAK PERFORMER OF THE WEEK
Ally Ryan, Kansas City
5^th Year | Mid-Distance | Tulsa, Okla.

• Collected her first career weekly honor
• Broke the program record and won the mile in a time of 4:48.63
• Ran a leg of the 4x400m relay that took seventh (3:55.94)
• Ranks 11^th nationally in the mile with her winning time

Also nominated: Briza Dure (Western Illinois)
 
WOMEN’S FIELD PEAK PERFORMER OF THE WEEK
Nakeita Kessling, Western Illinois
Fr | Jumps | Henry, Ill.

• Collected her first career weekly honor
• Took second in the triple jump with a personal-best leap of 37-08.75 (11.50m)
• Finished third in the long jump with a mark of 18-03.75 (5.58m)

2022-23 Indoor Track & Field Peak Performers of the Week
December 6
MT: Pierre Lear, South Dakota State
MF: Kaden Pastian, North Dakota State
WT: Kendra Kelley, North Dakota State
WF: Danii Anglin, South Dakota
 
December 13
MT: Pierre Lear, South Dakota State
MF: Benjamin Owere, Kansas City
WT: Ally Ryan, Kansas City
WF: Nakeita Kessling, Western Illinois