March 30, 2011
NOTRE DAME, Ind. – Jeremy Rae (Fort Erie, Ontario/Lakeshore Catholic) and Kevin Schipper (Leo, Ind./Bishop Dwenger) of the Notre Dame men’s track and field team swept the BIG EAST Men’s Outdoor Track & Field weekly awards, as announced by the league Tuesday afternoon. Rae was named the BIG EAST Men’s Outdoor Track Athlete of the Week, while Schipper received the BIG EAST Men’s Field Athlete of the Week.
Rae earned the honor after clocking the best collegiate time in the nation to date in the 1,500-meter run in 3:44.09 at the Stanford Invitational during last weekend’s competition. The sophomore was the first collegiate competitor to cross the line, following only Nike athlete David Torrence. Rae’s time is a personal best and is .32 seconds ahead of UTEP’s Elkana Rotich for the best collegiate time in the country this season.
Schipper was named the BIG EAST Men’s Field Athlete of the Week after claiming the pole vault crown at the Arizona State Invitational during his competition last Friday. The 2011 BIG EAST indoor pole vault champion cleared 5.20m, which is currently the best height in the league this season and fourth-best performance in the nation.
On the women’s side of the BIG EAST honors, West Virginia’s Chelsea Carrier was selected as the BIG EAST Women’s Track Athlete of the Week, while Louisville’s Charachesicia grabbed the BIG EAST Women’s Field Athlete of the Week.
The Irish continue their outdoor season Friday and Saturday at the Mike Poehlein Invitational in West Lafayette, Ind.
–ND–