Southern Utah Track and Field standouts Angie Nickerson and Kasey Knevelbaard both won the Big Sky Athlete of the Week award for their record setting performances in Seattle this weekend.
They lead one of the Big Sky’s quickest track teams, and will be looking to contend for the Big Sky title this season.
Knevelbaard ran an absurd 3:58.54 mile and finished second in the University of Washington invitational. Nickerson broke the school record for the 5,000 meter with a time of 16:12.09 and finished sixth overall.
Knevelbaard and Nickerson have emerged as leaders of SUU’s Track and Field teams through four invitational meets. They are monster long distance runners and will finish high at every meet SUU competes in this season.
The men’s team was predicted to finish second and the women were predicted to finish fourth by the media. They both have the potential to soar beyond the media’s expectations.
George Espino and Liam Kennell join Knevelbaard in prowess in the mile. The team holds the Big Sky’s best high jumper (and SUU’s best returning wide receiver) in Frank Harris III. Sprinters Justin Lewis and Brandon Harley will set the pace in short track, while Cannon Brunsvik will impress with his throws.
The women will be tough to beat in long distances. Nickerson is going to have a historical season. Alison Pray and Madison Fruchey are very consistent distance runners. Sinclair Watson will be one of the fastest T-Birds in short distances this season and Lauren Emter is a very strong thrower.
Both teams are loaded with hardened upperclassmen, and the men are led by five graduate students. The teams have the potential to win their conference and have the individual talent to make some noise at the NCAA National Championships.
The track team continues their season on Feb. 1 at Northern Arizona Mountain T’s Invitational. Follow the team on Twitter @SUUTFXC for updates as the season goes on.
Story by: Connor Sanders
sports@suunews.net
Photo courtesy of SUU Athletics Strategic Communication
