Posted: June 23, 2005

Athletics: Gault Named USATF Athlete of Week

INDIANAPOLIS - Willie Gault has been named USA Track & Field's Athlete of the Week after adding the M40 American record in the 200m to the 100m record (10.73) he set at Occidental College in early May.

At the Southern California Association USATF Masters Championships on June 11 held at West Los Angeles College in Culver City, Gault ran a wind-aided 10.60 for 100, but followed that an hour later with a legal 21.80 for 200. The listed American record for 200 in the M40 age group is Bill Collins' 21.86 from 1992.

Earlier, Gault anchored a 41.4 (hand-timed) relay that bettered the listed world record. He also ran 110m hurdles with a 2.0 (legal) wind. He is slated to run the 110 hurdles Sunday, June 27, in a Masters exhibition race at the USA Outdoor Track & Field Championships in Carson, Calif.. He will face current M40 record-holder (13.73) David Ashford at the Home Depot Center.

Gault, widely considered one of the most versatile athletes of all time, is best known for his blazing speed that helped the Chicago Bears win the 1985 Super Bowl. Gault then went on to enjoy several more standout seasons with the Los Angeles Raiders.

The former All-American football and track star from the University of Tennessee made his mark away from the gridiron too. He won two Olympic Gold Medals and also helped the United States win the 4-man bobsled Gold Medal at the 1988 World Championships with a world record run. In 1990, Gault was honored with the Jim Thorpe All-Around Athlete Award.

Now in its fifth year, USATF's Athlete of the Week program is designed to recognize outstanding performers at all levels of the sport. USATF names a new honoree each week and features the athlete on the USATF website. Selections are based on top performances and results from the previous week.

2005 USATF Athlete of the Week Winners: January 4, Amy Rudolph; January 11, Dathan Ritzenhein; January 18, Janine Davis; January 25, Wallace Spearmon Jr.; February 1, Erin Gilreath; February 8, LaShawn Merritt; February 15, LaShawn Merritt; February 22, Walter Davis; March 1, Angela Daigle; March 8, Gov. Mike Huckabee; March 15, Kerron Clement; March 22, Lauren Fleshman; March 29, Deena Kastor; April 5, Deena Kastor; April 12, Tianna Madison; April 19 Alan Culpepper; April 26, John Godina; May 3, Amy Rudolph; May 10, Galen Rupp; May 17, Erica McLain; May 24, John Godina; June 1, Walter Dix; June 8, Justin Gatlin; June 15, Darold Williamson; June 23, Willie Gault.