ANGOLA, IND. -- Senior Neil O'Brien (Whiteland, Ind./Roncalli) and junior Theodore Samra (Lansing, Mich./DeWitt) of the Trine University men's outdoor track and field team have been named this week's Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association Track & Field "Athletes of the Week."
Both student-athletes competed in the three-day unscored Gina Relays this past weekend that was hosted by Hillsdale College in Hillsdale, Mich.
O'Brien was named the Track "Athlete of the Week" for a performance that was highlighted by his school record in the 3000-meter steeplechase. O'Brien finished as the runner-up in the event and set a Trine outdoor record doing so with a time of 9:06.98. His time broke the previous school record (9:09) that stood since 1979 and was then set by Jeff Lauber. His time also currently ranks as the fastest recorded so far this season in NCAA Division III. In addition, he was a member of the 4x800-meter relay team that competed on the final day of the competion that placed second overall after recording an overall time of 7:54.60.
Samra was tabbed Field "Athlete of the Week" after a fourth-place in the hammer throw with a distance of 151' 8.00". He also went on to place 11th in the shot put following a throw of 39' 4.50".
Trine will set its sights on the MIAA Outdoor Championships that begin on Thursday, May 6 and will be hosted by Alma College in Alma, Mich. The first events on Thursday are scheduled to start at 1 p.m.