Spartans Sweep Big Ten Runner of the Week Honors
9/21/2010 12:00:00 AM | Cross Country
Sept. 21, 2010
EAST LANSING, Mich. - As announced by the Big Ten Conference office today (Sept. 21), Michigan State cross country runners red-shirt senior Emily MacLeod and red-shirt junior Aaron Simoneau have been named Big Ten Cross Country Runners of the Week.
MacLeod started the day off at the Spartan Invitational on Friday, Sept. 17 by winning the event for the second straight year. The Loveland, Ohio, native, finished the 6k in 20:46, besting her time last year by 21 seconds. This marks MacLeod's second Big Ten honor.
Simoneau earns his first career conference distinction after tracking down Nick Willis, a silver medalist at the 2008 Beijing Olympics in the 1,500m, for the his first collegiate win at the Spartan Invitational. The Traverse City, Mich., native, bested his previous fastest race by 50 seconds to finish the 8k race in 24:28. Simoneau is joined by Colin Mickow of Illinois as co-runners of the week.
After the Green and White's strong performance last weekend, MSU found itself being recognized by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) it its weekly poll. The men remained at 18th after finishing six Spartans in the top 10 last week, while the women are one spot behind in 19th position, moving up from 21st. Regionally, the women moved into first place in the weekly poll in the Great Lakes Region. The men remained in second behind Notre Dame in the Great Lakes Region.
The Spartans have the upcoming weekend off before returning to action on Saturday, Oct. 2 when they travel to Madison, Wis. for the Wisconsin adidas Invitational. Racing is scheduled to begin at 12 p.m. ET.
Players Mentioned
