The Big Ten conference named Minnesota thrower Micah Hegerle the Field Athlete of the Week Monday. The junior won the weight throw competition in last weekend's Snowshoe Open at the University of Minnesota Fieldhouse.
Hegerle threw an NCAA automatic qualifying distance of 21.95 meters. This toss is currently the farthest in the Big Ten and fifth in the nation this season. The mark also surpassed the school record set by Hegerle last year of 21.73 meters.
The honor is the third of Hegerle's career and the first for this season.
The Gophers men's track and field team will compete this weekend at the Big Ten Indoor Championships in Lincoln, Neb. They have won the title three years straight.