May 6, 2008

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - Illini women's track and field sophomore Aja Evans was named co-Big Ten Field Athlete of the Week for her record-setting performance at the Illinois Twilight meet, announced by the conference today. She shares the award with pole vaulter Alicia Rue of Minnesota.

Evans set an Illinois school record in the shot put on April 30, marking a first-place distance of 55 feet, 8 ¼ inches. The sophomore bettered the previous record of 53'1" set by Collinus Newsome in 1996. Evans' performance at the Illinois Twilight moved her up to rank fifth in the country in the event and third in the NCAA Mideast Region. The Chicago, Ill. native already owned the top shot put in the Big Ten and has recorded a regional qualifying distance four times this season.

Evans now has two Illinois records, setting the indoor shot put mark in February (54' 8 ¼") and also bettering a distance by Newsome. She will be looking to earn her second All-America accolade this season at the NCAA Outdoor Championships after placing ninth in the shot put at the NCAA Indoor Championships.

The honor marks the third weekly conference accolade the Illini have received this outdoor season, and the first Field Athlete of the Week. Distance runner Angela Bizzarri was named Track Athlete of the Week on April 29, while hurdler LaNeisha Waller received the same honor on April 1.

Evans and the rest of the Illini will next be in action at the Big Ten Track & Field Outdoor Championships, hosted by Illinois from Friday, May 16 to Sunday, May 18.