Duncan named USATF Athlete of the Week
INDIANAPOLIS – Louisiana State University sprinter Kimberlyn Duncan has
been named USA Track & Field’s Athlete of the Week after winning the
100m, 200m and as part of the winning 4x100m at the NCAA East Regional
meet last weekend at the University of North Florida.
Duncan’s time of 22.22 seconds to win the 200m makes her the new world leader and broke the low-altitude collegiate record.
“I didn’t even know I did that,” Duncan said of breaking the collegiate
record. “One of the coaches told me and my mom told me. I was not
expecting to do that this weekend so that was wonderful.”
Duncan’s time puts her second on the all-time NCAA outdoor list behind only former LSU sprint star Dawn Sowell.
“I didn’t expect to be doing what I am doing so to be mentioned along
names like Dawn Sowell is amazing,” said Duncan. “It means I’ve
accomplished a lot and I still have more to accomplish to fill their
shoes.”
Duncan will compete next at the NCAA Outdoor Championships, which are
scheduled for June 6-9 at Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa, where
she will take a shot at a national championship.
“It’s a great field. All the girls are great athletes,” said Duncan of
her competitors. “I’ll have to come out with my ‘A’ game to go up
against all these ladies.”
Now in its 11th year, USATF’s Athlete of the Week program is designed to
recognize outstanding performers at all levels of the sport. USATF
names a new honoree each week and features the athlete on www.usatf.org.
Selections are based on top performances and results from the previous
week.
2012 Winners: January 5, Landon Peacock; January 11, Kirubel Erassa;
January 18, Shalane Flanagan; January 26, John Nunn; February 1, Gunnar
Nixon; February 8, Jenn Suhr; February 14, Jillian-Camarena Williams;
February 22, Brycen Spratling; February 28, Chaunte Lowe; March 7, Eric
Broadbent; March 14, Ashton Eaton; March 21, Jeanne Daprano; March 27,
Wallace Spearmon; April 3, Trevor Barron; April 9, Kevin Castille; April
18, Brittney Reese; April 25, Amy Sproston; May 2, Leo Manzano; May 9,
Stephanie Brown-Trafton; May 16, Allyson Felix; May 23, Nick Hartle; May
30, Kimberlyn Duncan.