UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - The Big Ten Conference announced Wednesday that Penn State track & field athletes Mark Porter and Danae Rivers have been named Athletes of the Week in their respective sports.
On the men's side, junior Mark Porter was named Big Ten Men's Field Athlete of the Week. At the team's season-opening meet at Maryland, Porter kicked off his outdoor campaign with a personal best 73.94m to win the javelin throw. The throw is the sixth best in the NCAA thus far this season and ranks first in the Big Ten. This is the first career weekly honor for Porter, and Penn State's first outdoor Field Athlete of the Week since Brian Leap on May 4, 2016.
Representing the Penn State women, senior Danae Rivers has been named Big Ten Women's Track Athlete of the Week. After sitting out the indoor season after completing her four years of indoor eligibility in 2020, former 800m national champion opened her 2021 outdoor season with a win in the 800m run. Her 2:05.14 ranks fourth in the nation and first in the Big Ten. This marks the seventh combined Athlete of the Week honor of Rivers' career and her first outdoor recognition since April 26, 2017.
The Nittany Lions will be back in action this weekend at the Big Ten Invite in Jacksonville, Fla. Competition is slated to begin on Friday.
Conference Release: https://bigten.org/news/2021/3/30/womens-xc-track-weekly-outdoor-track-field-awards-announced.aspx
