Photo by: Jan Figueroa
Trio Collects Weekly Big Ten Accolades
02/18/26 | Track and Field
Wilma Nielsen, Kobe Lawrence and Diana Cherotich were recognized by the league office Wednesday.
EUGENE, Ore. – The Oregon track and field team picked up three weekly honors as announced by the Big Ten Conference Wednesday afternoon. Wilma Nielsen has been named women's Track Athlete of the Week for a third time this season while Kobe Lawrence is the men's Field Athlete of the Week and Diana Cherotich earns a second Freshman of the Week certificate.
Nielsen broke the Oregon school record in the indoor mile with her time of 4:21.04 at the BU Valentine Invitational last Saturday. That performance doubles as the Big Ten record and the No. 2 time in NCAA history. The day prior, Nielsen anchored the women's DMR to a 10:49.73—for 4,400y—at the Crimson Open hosted by Harvard. That time converts to 10:45.97 for NCAA qualifying.
Lawrence won the shot put at the Jarvis Scott Invitational—hosted by Texas Tech—with a lifetime best and Big Ten-leading mark of 20.16m/66-1.75. He is the third collegian beyond 20 meters this season, a measure he hit twice during his series. Lawrence leads the Big Ten and owns the No. 2 toss in the NCAA heading into the weekend.
Cherotich lowered her own indoor school record to 15:13.38 in the 5,000 meters, and won the open section of the event at the BU Valentine Invitational. With her showing, she leads the conference by more than three seconds and currently ranks 13th in the NCAA this season.
With event groups split between three states this past weekend, the Ducks racked up seven wins, 17 top-10 Oregon marks and 14 top-25 national performances. The Men of Oregon are ranked third for a third-consecutive week and the Women of Oregon are up to spots to No. 6 in the country, tying their season high.
The UO men will have entries for this Friday's Arkansas Qualifier (12:30 p.m. PT) in Fayetteville, Ark. Among the entries, the Ducks are scheduled to run their first distance medley relay of the season.
The postseason begins Feb. 26-28 with the Big Ten Indoor Championships in Indianapolis. The top 16 declared athletes in each event and top 12 relays will then advance to the NCAA Indoor Championships (March 13-14), also in Fayetteville.
For more news and information about Oregon cross country and track and field, follow @OregonTF on Facebook, Instagram and X.
Nielsen broke the Oregon school record in the indoor mile with her time of 4:21.04 at the BU Valentine Invitational last Saturday. That performance doubles as the Big Ten record and the No. 2 time in NCAA history. The day prior, Nielsen anchored the women's DMR to a 10:49.73—for 4,400y—at the Crimson Open hosted by Harvard. That time converts to 10:45.97 for NCAA qualifying.
Lawrence won the shot put at the Jarvis Scott Invitational—hosted by Texas Tech—with a lifetime best and Big Ten-leading mark of 20.16m/66-1.75. He is the third collegian beyond 20 meters this season, a measure he hit twice during his series. Lawrence leads the Big Ten and owns the No. 2 toss in the NCAA heading into the weekend.
Cherotich lowered her own indoor school record to 15:13.38 in the 5,000 meters, and won the open section of the event at the BU Valentine Invitational. With her showing, she leads the conference by more than three seconds and currently ranks 13th in the NCAA this season.
With event groups split between three states this past weekend, the Ducks racked up seven wins, 17 top-10 Oregon marks and 14 top-25 national performances. The Men of Oregon are ranked third for a third-consecutive week and the Women of Oregon are up to spots to No. 6 in the country, tying their season high.
The UO men will have entries for this Friday's Arkansas Qualifier (12:30 p.m. PT) in Fayetteville, Ark. Among the entries, the Ducks are scheduled to run their first distance medley relay of the season.
The postseason begins Feb. 26-28 with the Big Ten Indoor Championships in Indianapolis. The top 16 declared athletes in each event and top 12 relays will then advance to the NCAA Indoor Championships (March 13-14), also in Fayetteville.
For more news and information about Oregon cross country and track and field, follow @OregonTF on Facebook, Instagram and X.
Players Mentioned
Distance
/ Track and Field
Throws
/ Track and Field
Distance
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