Butler, DePaul, Villanova And Marquette Share #BIGEASTtrack Weekly Honors
BIG EAST Men’s Track Athlete of the Week
Erik Peterson, Butler, Sr., Distance (Barrington, Ill.)
Butler’s Erik Peterson set a school record in the 10,000-meter run at the Stanford Invitational on March 31. Peterson finished at 28:11.02, 26 seconds better than the previous mark set by Julius Mwangi in 1998. Peterson’s mark is the top mark in the BIG EAST this outdoor season and is the second-best time nationally as well as in the East Region. It is the sixth-best time in the world this season and qualifies Peterson for this summer’s U.S. Outdoor Championships. It is also the fastest time in Indiana collegiate history.
BIG EAST Men’s Field Athlete of the Week
Brian Mada, DePaul, So., Jumps (Rusape, Zimbabwe)
DePaul sophomore Brian Mada recorded his best triple jump mark of the season at the Joey Haines Invitational after reaching 14.92 meters. He finished third in the event but his distance was the top mark in the BIG EAST this season. His jump ranks 29th in the West and 67th in Division I. Mada also posted a PR in the long jump at 6.94 meters, fourth in the conference.
BIG EAST Women’s Track Athlete of the Week
Angel Piccirillo, Villanova, Sr., Middle Distance (Homer City, Pa.)
Wildcat senior Angel Piccirillo came in second out of 58 runners in the 1,500-meters at the Pepsi Florida Relays last week. Her time of 4:14.11 was the second-fastest of her career and ranks third nationally, second in the East Region and tops the BIG EAST list. After not competing during the indoor season, she returned to competition by winning her first two races at the Penn Challenge.
BIG EAST Women’s Field Athlete of the Week
Terica Harris, Marquette, Jr., Jumps (Savannah, Ga.)
Terica Harris repeats as the BIG EAST Women’s Field Athlete of the Week after setting the No. 2 mark all-time at Marquette and placed second overall in the long jump at the Joey Haines Invite on Saturday. Her jump of 5.95 meters ranks atop the BIG EAST, 25th in the West Region and 58th nationally. Her jump is 25th in the West and 58th in Division I.
BIG EAST Notable Performances
- Butler’s Olivia Pratt marked the top time in the conference in the women’s 10K with a time of 33:46.03. Pratt finished 14th in the fastest section of the race at the Stanford Invite. Her time is ninth in the East Region and 16th nationally.
- Georgetown’s Joe White ran a PR 1:46.07 to finish second in the 800-meter race at the Pepsi Florida Relays. His time tops the BIG EAST leaderboard and is second in the East region, third in the NCAA. It is the fifth-fastest time in the world this year and is the third-fastest time in Georgetown history.
- Hoya teammate Haley Pierce finished fourth in her 5,000-meter run at the Stanford invitational a PR of 16:07.05. Her time ranks second in the BIG EAST, No. 14 in the East region and 30th nationally.
- Providence’s Hugh Armstrong competed in the second heat of the men’s 10,000-meter run at the Stanford Invite, the same race as Peterson. He placed 13th in the heat with a time of 29:23.29 which ranks second in the league, 21st in the East and 37th nationally.
- Friar teammate Millie Paladino placed second in the 1,500-meter race at the Stanford Invite with a time of 4:14.76. It was a seven-second personal best for Paladino. It is the fourth-fastest time in the East Region, fifth in the NCAA and second in the league behind Piccirillo.
- Xavier’s Zachary Polk placed first in the long jump and the 100-meter dash at the Oliver Nikoloff Open. He also helped the Musketeer 4x100-meter team win first place in a time of 41.41 for three event wins in the meet. His long jump distance of 7.03 meters ranks second in the league this season, 72nd in the East Region.
2016-17 Outdoor Track & Field Weekly Honors
Men's Track: Euan Makepeace, Butler (March 29); Erik Peterson, Butler (April 4)
Men's Field: Daniel Armstrong, Marquette (March 29); Brian Mada, DePaul (April 4)
Women's Track: Piper Donaghu, Georgetown (March 29); Angel Piccirillo, Villanova (April 4)
Women's Field: Terica Harris, Marquette (March 29, April 4)