IOWA CITY, Iowa – Sophomore University of Iowa track and field athlete Austin West was named Big Ten Field Athlete of the Week, the conference announced Wednesday.
The Iowa City native registered the best week of his career in the Golden State at the Mt. SAC Relays. West overcame the 8,000-point plateau for the first time in his career (8,179), breaking the Iowa school record and finishing runner-up to Arkansas indoor heptathlon national champion Ayden Owens in one of the best decathlons in NCAA history.
West’s point total is No. 4 in the world this year and second in the NCAA only to Owens, who set the all-time collegiate record and world lead. West’s 8,179 points ranks him as the 24th-best performer in NCAA history. West set personal-best marks in seven of the 10 events, including a personal best of 46.41 in the 400 meters – a time that before this season would have ranked tenth all-time at Iowa.
This is the first Big Ten honor of West’s career and marks the second-consecutive week the Hawkeyes have had a conference honor on the men’s side.
The Hawkeyes are at home this Saturday, hosting the 21st Musco Twilight at Francis X. Cretzmeyer Track in Iowa City. Events tentatively begin at noon (CT).