Indiana University Athletics
IU Track Sweeps Big Ten Weekly Awards
12/12/2011 12:00:00 AM | Track and Field
Dec. 12, 2011
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - Indiana Track and Field won 18 events at the Hoosier Open to start the season, and the Big Ten has taken notice, honoring four Hoosiers as the conference's Athletes of the Week. Aireonna Bailey and Kind Butler are the Big Ten Track Athletes of the Week and Emma Kimoto and Olumide Olamigoke are Big Ten Field Athletes of the Week. Olamigoke shared the honors with Heath Nickles of Ohio State.
Indiana director and head coach Ron Helmer said that the four honorees were among several Hoosiers to hit the ground running in the indoor season, but stressed there is still a lot of room for growth.
"It is very early in the season, and we have a long way to go to call this season a success," said Helmer. "But, the Hoosier Open was a good start to our season, and to get four student-athletes honored by the Big Ten gives us some good forward momentum as we head into the new year and into the heart of the indoor season."
Bailey took wins in the 55m and 300m, posting a time of 7.13 seconds in the 55 to move past IU legend and Olympian DeDee Nathan for ninth in IU history. Converted to 60 meters, Bailey's time is 7.65, which is .02 better than her career best. In the 300, Bailey clocked a time of 39.31 to win by just under two seconds.
Kimoto won the high jump with a good early season clearance of 1.73m (5-8), and is tied for 12th on the NCAA descending order list.
Butler blazed to wins in the 55 meters and 300 meters. His time of 6.27 seconds in the 55 is the sixth fastest in school history and is the fastest 55m time in the country on the very young season. Converted to 60 meters, Butler ranks sixth on the NCAA list. In the 300, Butler finished in a school record 33.57, to win by more than half a second. Butler bettered the previous record of 33.87 by IU legend and Olympian Albert Robinson.
Olamigoke opened his season with a win in the triple jump. He hopped, skipped and jumped 15.12m (49-7.25). He finished 11 inches better than the second place finisher, and ranks third on the NCAA descending order list.
The Hoosiers return to action at the Indiana Open on January 7, 2012. For complete coverage of all things IU track and field, stay tuned to IUHoosiers.com.
