FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Mark Albanese, Assistant Sports Information Director, 630-637-5302

Apr. 13, 2010-- North Central College pole vaulter Rachel Secrest has been honored as the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin Women's Track & Field Athlete of the Week for her performance at the Chicagoland Championships on Friday.

The senior won the pole vault and established a new Haydon Track facility record in the process, clearing 12 feet 8 inches, vaulting more than a foot higher than the next closest competitor. Her performance met the NCAA Division III automatic qualifying standard and is currently the second best mark in the nation. Secrest additionally finished sixth in the long jump with a leap of 16' 3 3/4".

This is the second time this season Secrest has been honored as the CCIW Field Athlete of the Week, claiming the award during the indoor season on Feb. 9.

The Cardinals had four event winners at Friday's 22-team invitational, finishing second behind host University of Chicago. North Central returns to action on Saturday, competing at the Wheaton Twilight Meet.