By: Ben Diers
USTFCCCA Release
NEW ORLEANS, La. - The U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) has announced their National Athletes of the Week and Concordia-St. Paul's Marcus Gustaveson was named the NCAA DII Male Athlete of the Week for his performance in the discus throw.
The senior from Wheaton, Illinois, won the discus at the Alan Connie Shamrock Invitational with a throw of 58.52m (192-0) on his final attempt of the competition. He established himself as the national leader in the event by more than 13 feet.
Gustaveson shattered his PR of 51.08m (167-7) on his first throw of the day and only got better from there. Four marks in his series went over 55 meters, which also happen to be the top-4 throws in NCAA DII this year.
This is the first time in program history an athlete from Concordia-St. Paul has been named National Athlete of the Week during the outdoor season.
National Athlete of the Week is an award selected and presented by the USTFCCCA Communications Staff at the beginning of each week to 10 collegiate indoor track & field athletes, when applicable (male and female for each of the three NCAA divisions and the NJCAA).
The award seeks to highlight not only the very best times, marks, and scores on a week-to-week basis, but also performances that were significant on the national landscape and/or the latest in a series of strong outings. Quality of competition, suspenseful finishes and other factors will also play a role in the decision.
Marcus Gustaveson (Throws, 6-5, Sr., Wheaton, Ill. / Wheaton North HS)
- Finished first in the discus throw at the Alan Connie Shamrock invitational with a mark of 58.52m
- Broke the school record and ranks first in the nation in the discus throw
- NCAA DII Automatic Qualifier in the discus throw
- Also set a CSP outdoor record in the shot put with a throw of 16.14m