February 17, 2009
Three Eagles honored for efforts on track
EVANSVILLE, Ind.—The University of Southern Indiana men's and women's indoor track and field teams had three competitors honored for their individual performances at the Grand Valley State University Big Meet in Allendale, Michigan, this past weekend.
Sophomore David Goodman (Valparaiso, Indiana) and junior Mary Ballinger (Chesterton, Indiana) were named the GLVC Men's and Women's Track Athletes of the Week, respectively, while freshman Adrienne Curtis (Louisville, Kentucky) was recognized by KYTrackXC.com as its women's college Kentucky Track Athlete of the Week.
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David Goodman |
Goodman, who is earning GLVC Track Athlete of the Week honors for the second time this season, finished 13th in the 5,000-meter invitational with an NCAA II provisional qualifying time of 14 minutes, 40.77 seconds, the fastest mark in the GLVC this season. Goodman also leads the GLVC in the 3,000 meters.
This marks the third time this season that a USI men's competitor has earned GLVC Track Athlete of the Week. In addition to Goodman, senior sprinter
Tom Cunningham (Bridgeport, Illinois) earned the accolade January 19.
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Mary Ballinger |
Ballinger dominated the 5,000 meters at the GVSU Big Meet, finishing first with an NCAA II automatic qualifying time of 16 minutes, 45.35 seconds, also the fastest time in the GLVC this year. This marks the first time during the indoor season that Ballinger has been named the GLVC Track Athlete of the Week. She was the GLVC Women's Cross Country Runner of the Week in August and the GLVC Outdoor Track Athlete of the Week last March.
Curtis also had a big performance in the 5,000-meter invitational this past weekend. She finished 15th in the event with an NCAA II provisional qualifying time of 17 minutes, 46.27 seconds, a personal-best for the Assumption High School graduate.
USI will send a small contingent of competitors to the Eastern Illinois University Friday Night Special this Friday in Charleston, Illinois. The Eagles will compete at the GLVC Outdoor Championships February 27-28 in Crawfordsville, Indiana.
Dan McDonnell,
USI Sports Information
