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

CCIW Press Release

Jan. 16, 2018 - North Central College men's track and field athletes Nolan McKenna and Dylan Kuipers have been recognized as the season's first College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin (CCIW) Athletes of the Week. The CCIW announced this week's selections on Tuesday.

The pair were honored for their contributions to the Cardinals' second-place finish in the 12-team Grand Valley State University Bob Eubanks Open on Friday. Ranked 10th among NCAA Division III teams entering the meet, North Central totaled 136 points to finish only behind Grand Valley State, the No. 6-ranked team among NCAA Division II institutions, which scored 150.

McKenna was named the CCIW's Track Athlete of the Week after winning the 3,000-meter run on Friday as North Central claimed four of the top five places in the event. His time of eight minutes, 31.22 seconds currently ranks him fifth nationally among Division III competitors. 

Kuipers, meanwhile, was named the conference's Field Athlete of the Week after he placed second in the pole vault competition with an indoor personal-best clearance of 16 feet, 3/4 inch (4.90 meters). Kuipers ranks third nationally in the event.

North Central hosts the Cardinal Opener on Friday at Al B. Carius Track. Competition is scheduled to begin at 3:45 p.m.