April 8, 2008

IRVING, Texas - Conference USA has named SMU's Silje Fjortoft and Steffen Nerdal of Memphis it's Female and Male Athlete of the Week. Fjortoft clocked the top time in the NCAA in the 3,000-meter steeplechase (9:59.01) at the Stanford Invitational, while Nerdal won the discus and hammer at the SEmotion relays.

C-USA OUTDOOR TRACK & FIELD NOTEBOOK & TOP PERFORMANCES, April 8

FEMALE ATHLETE OF THE WEEK
SILJE FJORTOFT, SMU
Freshman, Distance/Steeplechase, Orsta, Norway
Fjortoft was the top collegiate finisher in the 3,000m steeplechase at the Stanford Invitational, crossing the line in 9:59.01. Fjortoft was the top college runner by over nine seconds. Fjortoft easily qualified for the NCAA Regionals and trailed only Yuan Jin of Team China, who crossed in 9:51.49. Fjortoft's time is the fastest in the nation this season for a collegian.

MALE ATHLETE OF THE WEEK
STEFFEN NERDAL, MEMPHIS
Sophomore, Hammer & Discus, Bergen, Norway
Nerdal won both the discus and hammer at the SEmotion relays in Cape Girardeau, Mo., last weekend. He broke a 12-year old meet record and set a school record in the hammer with a throw of 67.43m (221-2). He also won the discus with a launch of 51.77m (169-10) the next day, setting NCAA qualifying marks in both events.

2008 C-USA OUTDOOR TRACK & FIELD ATHLETES OF THE WEEK
March 25
Male - Jason Colwick, Rice
Female - Desarie Walwyn, Rice
April 1
Male - Mickael Hanany, UTEP
Female - Blessing Okagbare, UTEP
April 8
Male - Steffen Nerdel, Memphis
Female - Silje Fjortoft, SMU