Jan. 30, 2012
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - Illinois women's track and field sophomore Stephanie Richartz was named Big Ten Field Athlete of the Week after another stellar pole vault performance at the Mark Colligan Memorial Invitational, announced the conference office today.
Richartz took the pole vault crown and set her third consecutive school record this season with her personal-best mark of 13-8 ½ (4.18m). The Island Lake, Ill., native now ranks seventh in the nation and first in the Big Ten in the event. The victory last weekend was her third first-place finish so far this season.
This is the first time Richartz has been named Big Ten Field Athlete of the week in her career. The last Illini to garner indoor field athlete of the week was Melissa Bates on Jan. 25, 2010.
Richartz and the rest of the Fighting Illini will host the Orange and Blue Open this Saturday, Feb. 4 with the field events slated to begin at 10 a.m. CT and the running events at 12 p.m. CT.
