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Wilkinson Named USTFCCCA National Athlete of the Week
3/28/2023 11:13:00 AM | Men's Track & Field, Women's Track & Field
MINNEAPOLIS -- University of Minnesota grad student Matt Wilkinson has been honored by the USTFCCCA as the National Division I Athlete of the Week after his performance at the Raleigh Relays, the organization announced on Tuesday.
Dominating in his season debut was All-American Matthew Wilkinson in the 3000m steeplechase on March 23 at the Raleigh Relays. The grad student finished as the meet's runner-up, but his 8:29.35 was the top collegiate finisher at the meet in Raleigh. Wilkinson's time also broke the meet and facility record at Dail Soccer Field/Track Complex. Wilkinson's time is good enough to put him at the top of the 3000m steeplechase rankings as of March 28.
"This is such a great honor for Matt. He's a guy who works very hard and this was really an outstanding early-season performance," assistant coach Brad Wick said. "We were expecting a good and competitive race and it turned out to be an even better race. We cannot wait to see what the rest of the season brings for Matt."
Wilkinson's No. 1 ranked 3000m steeplechase time also helped the Gopher men reach the No. 1 team ranking for the first time in school history on Monday. For Wilkinson the honor is the national weekly honor is the first of his career. As of March 28, Wilkinson is second on the Gophers' all-time top 10 list in the 3000m steeplechase and is also No. 2 on Minnesota's 5000m outdoor run, a time he set back in 2022.
The University of Minnesota men's track team is back in action on April 1 at the Hamline Invite.
For more information on the Gophers, continue to check back with GopherSports.com. Keep up with the University of Minnesota cross country and track and field team on Twitter and Instagram (@GopherCCTF) and on Facebook, so you do not miss any content during the season.
Dominating in his season debut was All-American Matthew Wilkinson in the 3000m steeplechase on March 23 at the Raleigh Relays. The grad student finished as the meet's runner-up, but his 8:29.35 was the top collegiate finisher at the meet in Raleigh. Wilkinson's time also broke the meet and facility record at Dail Soccer Field/Track Complex. Wilkinson's time is good enough to put him at the top of the 3000m steeplechase rankings as of March 28.
"This is such a great honor for Matt. He's a guy who works very hard and this was really an outstanding early-season performance," assistant coach Brad Wick said. "We were expecting a good and competitive race and it turned out to be an even better race. We cannot wait to see what the rest of the season brings for Matt."
Wilkinson's No. 1 ranked 3000m steeplechase time also helped the Gopher men reach the No. 1 team ranking for the first time in school history on Monday. For Wilkinson the honor is the national weekly honor is the first of his career. As of March 28, Wilkinson is second on the Gophers' all-time top 10 list in the 3000m steeplechase and is also No. 2 on Minnesota's 5000m outdoor run, a time he set back in 2022.
The University of Minnesota men's track team is back in action on April 1 at the Hamline Invite.
For more information on the Gophers, continue to check back with GopherSports.com. Keep up with the University of Minnesota cross country and track and field team on Twitter and Instagram (@GopherCCTF) and on Facebook, so you do not miss any content during the season.
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