MIAC TRACK AND FIELD ATHLETES OF WEEK

MINNEAPOLIS -- Augsburg College track and field sprinter Nick Ward (SR, Coon Rapids, Minn.) was named Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Men's Track Athlete of the Week, it was announced on Monday.

At Saturday's St. Olaf Ole Open, Ward claimed event victories in both the 200-meter dash (22.94 seconds) and the long jump (6.86 meters/22-feet-6.25). His long jump effort was the longest among MIAC competitors this season, according to the Raceberry Jam website, while his 200-meter effort was the third-fastest this season. His long jump effort is just three inches shy of the NCAA championships provisional qualifying distane of 6.94 meters (22-feet-9.25).

Ward also has the top time in the conference in the 55-meter dash, with a 6.49-second effort set earlier this season -- just one-hundredth of a second off the NCAA provisional qualifying time of 6.48 seconds.

Ward is the second Auggie to earn MIAC Men's Track Athlete of the Week honors this season, after Rick Wolke (JR, Belle Plaine, Minn.) earned the honor on Jan. 31. It's the fourth time that Ward has earned MIAC Athlete of the Week honors in his career.

Last year's MIAC indoor champion in both the 55-meter dash and long jump, Ward has earned four MIAC titles, eight All-MIAC honors and six All-MIAC honorable-mention honors in his career.

The Auggies compete at the MIAC Indoor Championships this weekend at the University of St. Thomas.