Jan. 28, 2003

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - Add another notch to Perdita Felicien's belt as the standout hurdler was named the Big Ten Track and Field Female Athlete of the Week after winning the 60-meter hurdles at the Olympic Oval Invitational in Salt Lake City on Jan. 25.

Felicien, who won three Big Ten Track Athlete of the Week awards last season, earned the honor by running the world's top 60-meter hurdle time of 7.97 seconds (adjusted for altitude), the only sub-eight second time in the world this year.

In earning the win, Felicien out-dueled former BYU standout Tiffany Lott-Hogan, who is the World Indoor Record Holder in the 55 meter hurdles. Lott-Hogan finished second behind Felicien.

"I thought I had a slow reaction time, so I was kind of shocked with the time," Felicien said of her race. "It's great to get this season started out with such a great time. I was really determined this week after not finishing they way I would have like to last week. It was easy for me to get motivated for this race."

Felicien and the Fighting Illini men's and women's track and field teams return to action on Saturday Feb. 1, by hosting the Carle/Health Alliance Invitational at the U of I Armory Track. Throwing events begin at 8 a.m. and the running events get underway at 11:45 a.m.

###Illinois###