FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Clark Teuscher, Sports Information Director, 630-637-5302

Jan. 20, 2015 - North Central College pole vaulter Luke Winder has been selected as the NCAA Division III Men's National Track & Field Athlete of the Week by the United States Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA). This week's selections were announced on Tuesday.

Winder competed in his first collegiate meet, the Grand Valley State University Mike Lints Alumni Open, on Friday. On his second attempt in the competition, Winder cleared the bar at 16 feet, 8 3/4 inches to place second in the event and establish the current leading mark among all NCAA Division III competitors so far this season. His effort bettered all but one mark recorded in Division III during the 2014 indoor and outdoor season.

Also voted as the College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin's (CCIW) Field Event Athlete of the Week on Tuesday, Winder broke North Central's indoor freshman pole vault record of 16'6 3/4", which had been held by Peter Geraghty '13 since 2010 and currently ranks 10th on the Cardinals' all-time list in the event.

Winder will compete at home for the first time on Friday, as No. 5-ranked North Central hosts the Cardinal Opener at Al B. Carius Track. Competition set to begin at 4:30 p.m.