Posted: October 17, 2007

Athletics: Kastor named USATF Athlete of the Week

INDIANAPOLIS - Deena Kastor has been named USA Track & Field's Athlete of the Week after winning the 2007 USA Women's 10 km Championship Monday, October 8 at the Tufts Health Plan 10K for Women in Boston. The 2004 Olympic marathon bronze medalist, Kastor cruised to victory in the 10 km, crossing the finish line in 32 minutes 01 second. Kastor reached the finish 40 seconds ahead of two-time defending women's 10 km champion Katie McGregor, who was the runner-up in 32:41. Another notable performance was turned in by National Track & Field Hall of Famer Jay Silvester, who set a M70 American masters record last Wednesday at the Huntsman World Senior Games in Saint George, Utah. The 1972 Olympic silver medalist and former world record holder in the discus, Silvester's winning throw of 50.27 meters/164 feet 11 inches smashed the previous record of 48.06m/157-8 set by Wendell Palmer in 2002. 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. 2007 USATF Athlete of the Week Winners: January 2, Thomas Morgan; January 9, Jacquelyn Coward; January 16, Ryan Hall; January 23, Johnny Dutch; January 30, Shalane Flanagan; February 6, Gail Devers; February 13, Alan Culpepper; February 20, Bernard Lagat; February 27, Christian Cantwell; March 6, Fasil Bizuneh; March 13, Natasha Hastings; March 20, Anthony Famiglietti; March 27, Nadine O'Connor; April 4, Natasha Hastings; April 10, Diana Pickler; April 17, Shalane Flanagan; April 24, Virginia Tech women's team, Ryan Hall; May 1, Jen Rhines; May 8, Walter Henning; May 15, Allyson Felix; May 22, Breaux Greer; May 29, Walter Dix; June 5, Jenn Stuczynski; June 12, Walter Dix; June 19, Chanelle Price; June 27, Tyson Gay; July 3, Jim Sorensen; July 10, Robin Reynolds; July 17, William Wynne; July 24, Alan Webb; July 31, Victoria Jordan; August 8, Reese Hoffa; August 14, Jeremy Wariner; August 21, Lela Nelson; August 28, Tyson Gay, September 5, Allyson Felix and Bernard Lagat, September 11, Phil Raschker; September 19, Sanya Richards; September 26, Brad Walker; October 3, Kara Goucher; October 9, Abdi Abdirahman; October 17, Deena Kastor. Subscribe to the Runner's Web Weekly Digest