Feb. 10, 2009
Irving - Texas A&M junior Zuheir Sharif claimed the men's Big 12 weekly track and field honor after winning the triple jump at the New Balance Armory Collegiate Invitational in New York City this past weekend.
A leap of 53-11 established an Aggie school record for Sharif, who previously equaled the A&M indoor best mark during a home meet in January with a distance of 53-3. The new mark for Sharif leads the collegiate ranks for the 2009 indoor season and is also an American leader at this stage of the season.
Sharif , a two-time All-American and 2007 Big 12 Indoor champion, led an A&M finish of 1-2-3-6 in the event at the New Balance Collegiate Invitational as the Aggies totaled 27 points in the event. Texas A&M ended the meet with 55 points to place fourth overall.
Among the Big 12 weekly honors presented this season Sharif becomes the fourth recipient from Texas A&M. Gerald Phiri has shared the weekly award twice while Jessica Beard was selected earlier this season as well.
The Aggies, with the No. 1 ranked women's team and the men ranked No. 5 in the nation, will host the Texas A&M Invitational this weekend, Feb. 13-14, at the Gilliam Indoor Track Stadium as 20-plus schools visit the site of the 2009 Big 12 and NCAA Indoor Championships.