Ohio State Throwers Sweep Big Ten Track and Field Athlete of the Week Awards – Ohio State Buckeyes
1/20/2004 12:00:00 AM | Women's Track & Field
Jan. 20, 2004
COLUMBUS, Ohio – A pair of Ohio State throwers claimed the men’s and women’s Big Ten Indoor Athlete of the Week Tuesday following first-place performances in both the weight throw and shot put at the Kentucky Invitational this past weekend. Senior Dan Taylor (Middlefield, Ohio/ Berkshire), who garnered the weekly award for the eighth time in the last two seasons after setting an American collegiate record in the weight throw in the season-opener last week, set a University of Kentucky venue record in the shot put and took first in the weight. On the women’s side, Amarachi Ukabam (So., Creve Couer, Mo./ Marquette) automatically qualified for the 2004 NCAA Indoor Championships with her effort in the weight throw, while also posting the top mark in the shot put.
Taylor opened the event Friday with an effort of 73-feet – 7.25-inches to capture first in the weight and completed the sweep with a Nutter Field House all-time shot put mark of 66-5.25. Both of Taylor’s efforts served as automatic qualifiers to the NCAA championships.
Ukabam, the reigning conference freshman of the year, recorded an NCAA Indoor championships automatic qualifier in the weight with a heave of 65-7.75. Her 51-4.25 first-place throw in the shot put also served as a provisional qualifier.
Taylor, a Middlefield, Ohio native, won seven weekly conference honors last season, including the final outdoor athlete of the week award May 12, 2003. Over the last two seasons, Taylor has earned Big Ten athlete of the week honors on nine occasions. Ukabam won her first award April 8, 2003. Taylor and Ukabam have combined with junior thrower Keturah Lofton (Zainesville, Ohio/ Zainesville) to claim first place in all eight throw competitions in the two meets this season.
Ohio State returns to Columbus this Saturday as it welcomes Purdue and Indiana to a tri-meet at French Field house. The event is set to get underway at 10 a.m
