Southern Illinoise University Athletics
Kyle Landon named USTFCCCA Male National Athlete of the Week
12/08/2014 | 12:00:00 | Track and Field
By Tyler Wooten
SIUSalukis.com
NEW ORLEANS -- Saluki track and field sophomore Kyle Landon has been named the U.S. Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association's Male National Athlete of the Week, the USTFCCCA announced Monday.
Landon, a native of nearby Chester, Ill., won the high jump this past Saturday at the Saluki Fast Start by tying his overall PR at 2.20m (7-02.50) -- the same height that earned him a tie for third and All-American honors at the national meet outdoors in June. His winning height is actually a new indoor PR that improves upon his place in fifth all-time in Saluki history.
As of now, Landon's mark ranks first nationally. While that should slide as the season progresses, only 12 jumpers beat 2.20m all last year. Landon also had a solid day in the long jump as well. He leapt a new career best 7.25m (23-09.50) for second place, which currently ties him for fourth nationally with teammate Franklin Adams.
Landon is coming off a historically successful freshman campaign at SIU. He became the 146th All-American in SIU track history, as well as the first Saluki male to do so in the high jump since Olympian Cameron Wright (indoors 1996, outdoors 1995). His third-place finish is the highest by any Saluki male outdoors since Olympian and two-time NCAA champ Darrin Plab won the 1992 high jump title outdoors. His finish also put Southern's men on the scoresheet at the national meet with 5.5 meet points and a tie for 42nd place, the highest finish for the Saluki men outdoors since 2004 (11th). Individually, his 5.5 points already rank 21st all-time at SIU outdoors and 29th all-time regardless of season. In SIU's record books, he already ranks fifth all-time both indoors and outdoors at 2.20m (7-02.50).
Up next for Landon and the Salukis is the Kentucky Invitational in Lexington, Ky., on Jan. 16-17.
