UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – Penn State Track & Field's Olivier Desmeules was recognized as the men's recipient of the Big Ten's Indoor Track Athlete of the Week honor, as announced by the conference on Feb. 1.
Desmeules, a sophomore majoring in economics, ran a 1:48.47 in the 800m on Friday evening at the Penn State National Open this weekend to top the Big Ten charts for the 2022-23 indoor season. Desmeules' time slots in at No. 9 nationally.
The Canadian middle-distance runner also was a part of Penn State's distance medley relay team that clocked a 9:35.51 during Saturday's competition at the Penn State National Open to claim the top spot in the conference in the event. The time ran by the foursome of Yukichi Ishii, James Onwuka, Desmeules, and Brandon Hontz is currently the fourth-fastest distance medley in the NCAA this season.
This is the second Big Ten athlete of the week award in Desmeules' career, with the first coming in December of 2022.
It is the third Big Ten Track & Field athlete of the week award for the Nittany Lions this season. In addition to Desmeules' award for breaking the Canadian U23 indoor 600m record on Dec. 14, Mallory Kauffman was bestowed the women's field honor on Dec. 7 following her shot put effort at the Bison Opener.
PENN STATE'S 2022-23 BIG TEN WEEKLY AWARD WINNERS
Feb. 1 – Olivier Desmeules – Middle-Distance – Men's Indoor Track Athlete of the Week
Dec. 14 – Olivier Desmeules – Middle-Distance – Men's Indoor Track Athlete of the Week
Dec. 7 - Mallory Kauffman – Throws – Women's Indoor Field Athlete of the Week
LOOKING AHEAD
Desmeules and the Nittany Lions will host their penultimate indoor home meet on Saturday, Feb. 4 when they welcome teams to Happy Valley for the Sykes & Sabock Challenge. The meet will also serve as the Nittany Lions' Senior Day.
