ST. LOUIS – Illinois State track & field seniors Brandon Gage and Sydney Laufenberg garnered Missouri Valley Conference Athlete of the Week honors for their performances at the Jack Jennett Open over the weekend, as announced by the league office this morning.
Gage, who was named the MVC Male Track Athlete of the Week for the first time in his career, opened his senior season with a win in the 400-meter dash with a time of 48.62* seconds, which is currently the fastest 400m time in the Missouri Valley Conference. He is the only MVC student-athlete to run a sub-49 second converted time and is among the top-100 fastest 400m runners in the NCAA, coming in with 89th fastest time so far this season.
The Chicago native also helped the Illinois State 4x400-meter relay team to a second-place finish, clocking in with a combined time of 3:22.13*, which is the third-fastest time in the Valley this year.
The Valley's pick for the Female Field Athlete of the Week was Laufenberg, whose final season of indoor eligibility begun with a win in the weight throw where she threw over 19 meters for the third time in her career. Laufenberg's best mark of 19.09 meters (62-7.75 ft.) is currently the top mark in the Valley and the 32nd-best in the NCAA. The MVC weekly honor is the second of her career and first during the indoor season.
* indicates converted time
UP NEXT
The cross country team will travel to Nashville, Tennessee for the Lipscomb Winter Classic on Feb. 6 for their first competition of the year after the fall 2020 season was postponed to the spring, while Gage, Laufenberg and the rest of the track & field team will be back in action on Feb. 12-13 at the Grand Valley State University Big Meet in Allendale, Michigan.
In accordance with state and local guidelines, fans are currently not allowed to be in attendance at home ISU Athletics events. Game dates, opponents, times and locations are subject to change.
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