Posted: January 18, 2006

Athletics: Eastler named Athlete of the Week

INDIANAPOLIS - Kevin Eastler has been named USA Track & Field's Athlete of the Week after setting a new American record in the 30 km race walk at the 2006 USA 30 km Race Walk Championships in Chula Vista, CA.

A 2004 Olympian, Eastler crossed the finish line in the new American record time of 2 hours, 12 minutes, 53 seconds. Eastler bettered the previous record of 2:14:23 set in 2002 by Curt Clausen.

Another notable performance over the weekend was Brian Sell's second U.S. title of his career at the USA Men's Half Marathon Championship in Houston, Texas. Sell ran a personal best 1:02:39 for second overall, just missing the championship record of 1:02:32 set by Paul Cummings in 1987.

Now in its sixth 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.

2006 USATF Athlete of the Week Winners: January 3, Walt Henning; January 10, Amandi Rhett; January 17, Kevin Eastler.

Best Marks Week Ending January 15

MEN 
60 - 6.64 Brad Reed (TCU) - Fayetteville, AR 1/13
200 - 20.86 LaShawn Merritt (Nike) - Blacksburg, VA 1/14
400 - 46.80 Michael Tinsley (Jackson St.) - Fayetteville, AR 1/13
OT 45.63 Jamel Ashley (Reebok) - Lexington, KY 1/14
800 - 1:50.67 Tim Harris (Miami) - Gainesville, FL 1/15
1000 - 2:21.47 Chris Lukezic (Reebok) - Blacksburg, VA 1/14
Mile - 4:00.73 Daniel Lincoln (Nike) - Fayetteville, AR 1/13
OT 3:58.54 Chris Estwanik (Nike Farm Team) - Seattle, WA 1/14
3000 - 8:03.77 Dan Wilson (Asics) - Blacksburg, VA 1/14
5000 - OT 13:57.26 Lyle Weese (Big Sur) - Seattle, WA 1/14
60H - 7.70 Antwon Hicks (Ole Miss) - Fayetteville, AR 1/13
HJ - 2.28/7-5.75 Andra Manson (Texas) - Houston, TX 1/14
PV - 5.51/18-1 John Russell (Akron) - Akron, OH 1/14
LJ - 7.70/25-3.25 Joe Allen (Unat) - Gainesville, FL 1/15
TJ - 15.80/51-10 Alonzo Moore (Wisconsin) - Madison, WI 1/14
SP - 19.39/63-7.5 Garrett Johnson (Florida St.) - Gainesville, FL 1/15
WT - 22.72/74-6 Jake Freeman (NYAC) - West Point, NY 1/14

WOMEN 
60 - 7.26 Amberly Nesbitt (South Carolina) - Blacksburg, VA 1/14
200 - 23.44 Bianca Knight (MsHS) - Fayetteville, AR 1/14
400 - 53.94 Shunte Thomas (Kansas St.) - Fayetteville, AR 1/13
800 - 2:08.98 Christin Wurth-Thomas (Nike) - Fayetteville, AR 1/13
OT 2:08.31 Katie Erdman (Michigan) - Lexington, KY 1/14
3000 - OT 9:19.37 Erin Webster (Michigan) - Lexington, KY 1/14
5000 - 15:58.12 Caroline Bierbaum (Columbia) - New York 1/14
60H - 8.13 Jenny Adams (adidas) - Seattle, WA 1/14
HJ - 1.83/6-0 Christine Spence (Unat) - Blacksburg, VA 1/14
PV - 4.68/15-4.25 Jenn Stuczynski (Suhr Sports) - Ypsilanti, MI 1/14
LJ - 6.44/21-1.5 LaKadron Ivery (Nike) - Houston, TX 1/14
TJ - 13.30/43-7.75 Simidele Adeagbo (Team XO) - Seattle, WA 1/14
SP - 16.79/55-1 Kristin Heaston (Nike) - Seattle, WA 1/14
WT - 21.76/71-4.75 Tamara Burns (Virginia Tech) - Blacksburg, VA 1/14

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