SPARTANBURG, S.C. - College of Charleston freshman Dena O'Brien and UNCG junior Ashley Schnell have been named Southern Conference Women's Indoor Track Co-Athletes of the Week while Appalachian State senior Bianca Harvey has been named the SoCon Women's Indoor Field Athlete of the Week for meets during the weekend of Feb. 4 through Feb. 6. The selections are made by the league's track and field coaches.
O'Brien, a freshman from Pelham, Ala., ran a personal-best in the 5000 meters at the New Balance College Invitational. Her time of 17:13.11 was a 40 second improvement from her best 5K during the cross country season. Her performance placed her second in the College Division race and ranked her first on the SoCon list for the 5000 meters.
Schnell, a Lincoln, Neb., native, finished seventh overall in the 3000 meters at the prestigious Notre Dame Meyo Invitational. Her time of 9:39.73 broke the UNCG school record by 10 seconds, and she leads the SoCon in the event by 20 seconds.
Harvey, a senior at Appalachian State, placed third in the long jump event at the Niswonger Invitational. The Fayetteville, N.C., native set a personal-record with a jump of 10-1 ¼. Harvey also set a personal-best in the triple jump at the event with a leap of 38-9 ¾. Harvey ranks second on the SoCon list in the long jump.
The College of Charleston competes this weekend at the Carolina Invitational in Chapel Hill, N.C. UNCG travels to Clemson, S.C., for the Tiger Paw Invitational this weekend while Appalachian State goes to Akron, Ohio for the Akron Invitational.
Other top performers this week included:
The Citadel sophomore Micah Wessinger - Won the 800 meters at the Niswonger Invitational with a SoCon leading time of 2:14.78.
Samford sophomore Lauren D'Alessio - D'Alessio set a personal-best in the 800 meters at the Niswonger Invitational with a time of 2:15.00.
Western Carolina junior Nicole Okolo - Okolo ran personal-bests in the 60 meter hurdles and the 60 meters dash at the Niswonger Invitational.
Samford sophomore Chenelle Terry - Terry won the high jump at the Niswonger Invitational with a lead of 5-7.
Women's Indoor Track Athlete of the Week
Jan. 26 - Janet Carothers, Western Carolina
Feb. 2 - Breanna Alston, Appalachian State
Feb. 9 - Dena O'Brien, College of Charleston
Ashley Schnell, UNCG
Women's Indoor Field Athlete of the Week
Jan. 26 - Chenelle Terry, Samford
Feb. 2 - Cassie Crawford, Appalachian State
Feb. 9 - Bianca Harvey, Appalachian State