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

USTFCCCA Press Release

Apr. 3, 2018 - For the fourth time in his collegiate career, North Central College men's track and field athlete Luke Winder has been selected as the NCAA Division III Men's National Athlete of the Week by the United States Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA). This week's selections were announced on Tuesday.

A six-time national champion in the pole vault, Winder leaped to the top spot on the 2018 outdoor season's Division III performance list on Saturday as he opened the campaign at the Washington University in St. Louis Invitational. He cleared 17 feet, 6.50 inches (5.35 meters) to win the event. He is one of just eight men to clear such a height during the collegiate regular season.

The only six-time national pole vault champion in Division III history, Winder owns the North Central indoor record at 18'1.25", and his outdoor personal best of 18'2.75" is a Division III all-time best.

The Cardinals return to competition on Saturday, competing in the Wheaton College Invitational. Competition at McCully Stadium is scheduled to begin at 11:00 a.m.