Two track stars receive Mountain West awards

Two Aggies, Chari Hawkins and Nic Bowens, have been named the Mountain West Athletes of the Week.

Following the first indoor meet of the 2015 on Friday and Saturday, both Bowens and Hawkins were honored for their performances.

Bowens won the 60-meter dash with a time of 6.73 seconds. He is a senior from Meridian, Idaho, and this is the first time in his career he has won MW Athlete of the Week. Bowens ranks first in the MW and No. 26 in the nation in the 60-meter event.

Hawkins is a senior from Rexburg, Idaho, and this is the second time in her career at Utah State she has won the Athlete of the Week award. Hawkins recorded a 1.78-meter-high jump to win the event and also placed second in the 60-meter hurdles after an 8.62 second effort.

“We had a great opening meet,” said coach Gregg Gensel, who is in his 32nd year at Utah State. “It was highlighted by Nic Bowens in the 60-meter, Chari Hawkins in high jump and hurdles, Eric Shellhorn in the 3,000-meter and Sam Nielson in the triple jump, along with many other personal record performances.”

Besides Hawkins and Bowens, Shellhorn won the 3,000-meter event after running it in 8:24.06. Nielson won the triple jump, recording 12.82 meters on her attempts, and the women’s 4,000-meter distance medley relay team — Hannah Malone, Kelsey Yamauchi, Karlee Deeter and Megan Perkins — also took first place.

— kalen.s.taylor@aggiemail.usu.edu