COLUMBUS — A strong spring for W athletes continued this week as three Owls hauled in weekly awards from the St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference. Hannah Owens and Cortland Earl took Runner of the Week honors for track and field while slugger Zach Johnson picked up Hitter of the Week in baseball.
Owens and Earl competed at the West Georgia Legends Invitational meet last weekend, setting new personal bests and setting new conference-leading times in their respective events.
Owens ran a 21:06.11 in the 5000-meter event, good enough for fourth in the event and now the SLIAC’s best time this season.
“I’m happy that Hannah opened up her outdoor season on a good note,” Owls track and field head coach Dedrick Burnett said of the sophomore. “We still have some work to do with her before the Conference.”
Earl’s weekend was a successful one as well, seeing him lower his personal best in the 400-meter hurdle event to 58.61 seconds. It’s the best in the conference and a new school record, beating the freshman’s own time from earlier this season.
“Cortland is progressing well through this season,” Burnett added of the freshman. “He’s looking to lower that 400-hurdle time again.”
In baseball, Johnson posted another round of performances worthy of his weekly honor. He provided nine hits and nine RBIs in four games last week, which extended his hitting streak to 19 games. It’s a run that dates back to the second game of the season, demonstrating the junior’s consistency for the Owls this year.
“Zach has had a great season,” Owls baseball head coach Scott Mularz said. “He’s been as steady as a rock and done what we’ve needed him to do. Last week, he had another productive stretch and is deserving of this award.”
You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 34 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 34 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
