Indoor Track & Field: Three named NCAC Athlete of the Week

Senior Michael Barnes (Gates Mills, Ohio/Mayfield) and freshman Dee Salukombo (Lakewood, Ohio/Lakewood) were named North Coast Athletic Conference Athletes of the Week on the men's side while junior Emily Hammeren (Olmsted Falls, Ohio/Olmsted Falls) received NCAC Athlete of the Week honors for the women after their performances at last Friday's Denison University Last Chance meet.

Barnes was named conference Sprints/Hurdles Athlete of the Week following his victory in the 400-meters this past weekend in Granville. The reigning men's Indoor Track & Field Sprinter/Hurdler of the Year finished the 400 with a time of 51.44 and was also the anchor on the Big Red's first-place 4x400 relay team that crossed the line at 3:29.93.

Salukombo earned NCAC Distance/Middle Distance Runner of the Week honors following his fourth place finish in the mile. The rookie's time of 4:18.72 in the event ranked fourth best in school history.

Hammeren received NCAC Field Events accolades after her record-breaking performance in the pole vault at the DU Last Chance meet. Her clear of 10 feet, seven inches set a new school record and was the best performance in the event in the NCAC this season.

The indoor track & field teams will return to action this weekend (March 6-7) when Denison hosts the 2009 NCAC Indoor Track & Field Championships. Events in the Mitchell Recreation and Athletic Center kick off on Friday at 2 p.m.