The Great Plains Athletic Conference has announced the  men’s & women’s indoor track & field athletes-of-the-week for February 2-8, 2015.

Hauff Mid-America Sports/GPAC Men’s Outdoor Track & Field Athletes-of-the-Week

Field Events – Raheem Cowan, Briar Cliff

Raheem Cowan of Briar Cliff is the field athlete-of-the-week. Cowan, a senior from Hartwell, Georgia, stretched the tape 52-02.50 in the triple jump at Buena Vista’s Dennis Young Classic, his best bound ever and the top mark in the NAIA by over three feet. He bettered his indoor school record of 51-00.25 and even topped his best outdoor mark of 51-06.50. The mark established a new meet and facility record and also tied him for 11th in the nation in the event among jumpers in all divisions (NCAA and NAIA). Cowan also finished fourth in the long jump. He was also part of two relays which took home titles, the 4×200 and the 4×400.

Track Events – Rusty Muncy, Briar Cliff Briar Cliff’s Rusty Muncy is the track athlete-of-the-week.  Muncy, a junior from Bodfish, California,won four titles on the day. In the 200m, he raced to a 22.16, which was a new school record and a NAIA “A” standard. He also finished the 60m in 6.95, setting a new meet record and hitting the NAIA “B” qualifying standard. Both his 200m and his 60m times are the fastest in the GPAC this season. He also was part of the Chargers’ 4x200m relay team which broke a 2002 school record and also set meet and facility records by clocking a 1:29.85. The junior also won the long jump with the top collegiate leap (6.71m). Muncy also ranks ninth in the NAIA in the 200 and is 23rd in the 60.

 

Hauff Mid-America Sports/GPAC Women’s Outdoor Track & Field Athletes-of-the-Week

Field Events – Stephanie Coley, Concordia

Concordia’s Stephanie Coley is the field athlete-of-the-week. Coley, a junior from Gering, Nebraska, won the shot put title at the Fred Beile Classic with her toss of 46′ 6″ (fourth best in the NAIA). She also placed second in the weight throw with another season best throw of 57′ 11″ (sixth on the national list) that put her runner up behind teammate Kali Robb.

Track Events – Neeia Cooperwood, Morningside

Morningside’s Neeia Cooperwood is the track athlete-of-the-week.  Cooperwood, a senior from Omaha, Nebraska, set a school record in the 400-meters and was the top finisher among non-Division I athletes at the Frank Sevigne Husker Invitational. Her time is the fourth fastest in the NAIA this season. Cooperwood’s winning times in the 200 and 60-meters at the Dakota Reality meet rank 4th and 12th, respectively, in the NAIA this season. Aside from her two wins in the sprints, Cooperwood was also the long jump champion with a distance of 5.74m (18-10).–