Photo by: Errol Anderson
USATF Athlete of the Week honor eaned by Aggie freshman Donavan Brazier
Jan 21, 2016 | Track and Field
INDIANAPOLIS -- Donavan Brazier wins USATF Athlete of the Week after smashing the 800m American junior record indoors at the Texas A&M 11-Team Invitational, Saturday, Jan. 16.
Brazier's (Grand Rapids, Michigan) splits on each 200m lap included 25.20, 26.40 [51.60], 26.58 [1:18.18] and 27.75, as he dominated the race from start to finish. By the last lap, Brazier's significant lead was enough to secure the victory.
"I thought the other guys were going to be on my heels," noted Brazier of the fast pace. "I looked at the video board and noticed I had a little bit of space on them. I wasn't so nervous since I knew I had it on the last lap. I thought I ran 1:46, but when I saw it was under 1:46 I was so happy."
With a 1:45.93 victory, Brazier broke the 34-year-standing American junior indoor record of 1:47.84 set by Villanova's John Marshall in 1982. Brazier is now sixth on the American indoor list, fifth on the collegiate indoor list and is the second fastest U.S. collegiate runner. Additionally, his performance broke the Aggies' school record of 1:47.14 set by Joey Roberts in 2012.
"Now my goals are starting to go up a little bit. When I first got here I just wanted to make the travel team. Then I wanted to be the best 800 runner at A&M. But my main goal is to make the U.S. junior team this year since I was disqualified in the 800m race last summer."
Other notable performances include:
Now in its 15th year, USATF's Athlete of the Week program is designed to recognize outstanding performers at all levels of the sport. USATF names a new honoree each week and features the athlete on www.usatf.org. Selections are based on top performances and results from the previous week.
Brazier's (Grand Rapids, Michigan) splits on each 200m lap included 25.20, 26.40 [51.60], 26.58 [1:18.18] and 27.75, as he dominated the race from start to finish. By the last lap, Brazier's significant lead was enough to secure the victory.
"I thought the other guys were going to be on my heels," noted Brazier of the fast pace. "I looked at the video board and noticed I had a little bit of space on them. I wasn't so nervous since I knew I had it on the last lap. I thought I ran 1:46, but when I saw it was under 1:46 I was so happy."
With a 1:45.93 victory, Brazier broke the 34-year-standing American junior indoor record of 1:47.84 set by Villanova's John Marshall in 1982. Brazier is now sixth on the American indoor list, fifth on the collegiate indoor list and is the second fastest U.S. collegiate runner. Additionally, his performance broke the Aggies' school record of 1:47.14 set by Joey Roberts in 2012.
"Now my goals are starting to go up a little bit. When I first got here I just wanted to make the travel team. Then I wanted to be the best 800 runner at A&M. But my main goal is to make the U.S. junior team this year since I was disqualified in the 800m race last summer."
Other notable performances include:
- Raven Saunders (Charleston, South Carolina) had the best shot put mark of 2016 with an 18.67m/61-3 throw to win the Kentucky Invitational. Saunders's throw moved her to No. 4 all-time in NCAA women's indoor shot put history.
- Cameron Burrell (Houston, Texas) clocked the world's fastest time in the 60m at the Hilton Memorial meet Friday, running a 6.55.
- Brannon Kidder (Lancaster, Ohio) set a collegiate indoor record of 2:18.26 in the 1,000m at the Nittany Lion Challenge.
Now in its 15th year, USATF's Athlete of the Week program is designed to recognize outstanding performers at all levels of the sport. USATF names a new honoree each week and features the athlete on www.usatf.org. Selections are based on top performances and results from the previous week.
Players Mentioned
Middle Dist.
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