Southern Illinoise University Athletics
Hazel, Kern named MVC Track and Field Athletes of the Week
02/14/2017 | 11:52:00 | Track and Field
ST. LOUIS -- Warren Hazel and Jared Kern have been named the Missouri Valley Conference Male Athletes of the Week, the Valley announced Tuesday.
Hazel was named the MVC Men's Track Athlete of the Week after he ran the seventh-fastest 400m time in the NCAA at the Music City Challenge on Feb. 11, while Kern was named the MVC Men's Field Athlete of the Week for the second time this season after he broke the MVC indoor shot put record at the same meet.
The Salukis are back in action on Feb. 17 at the Eastern Illinois Friday Night Special. Field events begin at 2 p.m., while track events start at 3 p.m.
Men's Track Athlete of the Week
Warren Hazel, Southern Illinois, So.
Hazel ran the seventh-fastest 400m time in the NCAA at the Music City Challenge over the weekend. Running the 400m in competition for the first time in two weeks, the Old Roads, St. Kitts native didn't disappoint, as he blistered the track to win the race with an indoor PR of 46.26. In addition to now being ranked No. 7 in the NCAA, Hazel moves up No. 2 in school history, and has the fastest 400m time in the Missouri Valley Conference by more than a second and a half.
Men's Field Athlete of the Week
Jared Kern, Southern Illinois, Jr.
Kern won the shot put at the Music City Challenge with the longest throw in the NCAA and the second-longest toss in the U.S. this season. The two-time NJCAA All-American broke Curtis Jensen's Missouri Valley Conference indoor shot put record with a lifetime-best mark of 67'-2" (20.47m) Saturday to conclude the two-day Music City Challenge, hosted by Vanderbilt University.
Jensen's record had stood since 2014 before the Machesney Park, Ill. native stepped into the ring for his second attempt Saturday. He led from wire-to-wire in the win, as he got his first throw in at 61'-1.25" (18.62m), and then bombed his second toss to break his own school record as well as the conference record. Kern again threw 65' on his third attempt with a heave that measured 65'-10.50" (20.08m). The junior transfer has now tallied five throws this season that have measured 65' or further.
Players Mentioned
