ROSEMONT, Ill. - Fighting Illini men's track and field sprinter DJ Zahn has been named Big Ten Co-Track Athlete of the Week, it was announced today. This is the first time in Zahn's career he has been recognized by the conference during the outdoor season. He is also the first Illini to receive the conference award since Vanier Joseph in 2014.

At the Illinois Twilight, Zahn competed in the 200m and 4x100m relay, winning both events. He won the 200m in 20.63, the second-fastest time in Illinois history, and was part of the 4x100m team that established a new Illinois Soccer and Track Stadium facility record with a time 39.60, the sixth-best performance in school history.

The Morton, Illinois native currently ranks in the top 20 of the NCAA in four different events. His 200m mark from this past weekend is currently the 16th-best performance. His highest ranking is in the 400m, in which he is ranked seventh with a time of 45.70. In the 4x100m relay, he teamed up with Mo Maat, Brandon Stryganek and Cole Henderson to run 39.56 at the Jim Click Shootout, the 11th-best time in the nation. The 4x100m relay time of 39.60 this past weekend ranks 12th. In the 4x400m relay, Zahn, Cam Viney, David Kendziera and Joe McAsey have run 3:07.31, good for 16th in the NCAA.

Zahn shares the weekly honor with Antonio Blanks of Ohio State. Blanks collected first-place finishes in the 400m hurdles (50.42) and 4x400m relay (3:05.91) at the Virginia Challenge.

Zahn and the Illini are competing at the Drake Relays in Des Moines, Iowa from April 22-25. Illinois will be seeking its third straight Hy-Vee Cup.