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

Jan. 15, 2019 - After posting nation-leading marks in their respective events in Friday's indoor season opener, North Central College men's track and field student-athletes Dhruvil Patel and Luke Winder have been recognized as the College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin (CCIW) Athletes of the Week for Jan. 7-13, and Winder is also this week's United States Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) National NCAA Division III Men's Athlete of the Week.  

Patel was named the CCIW's Running Event Athlete of the Week after turning in a winning time of 14 minutes, 28.45 seconds in the 5,000-meter run in Friday's Cardinal Opener at Al B. Carius Track, finishing more than six seconds faster than his time in the same meet a year ago. The defending NCAA Division III indoor national champion in the 5,000, Patel currently owns the fastest time in Division III at that distance this season as well. 

Winder, meanwhile, soared to a clearance of 17 feet, 6.50 inches in the pole vault, matching his best mark ever to begin a season, to take his place atop the Division III national list as well. Winder swept the indoor and outdoor Division III pole vault championships in 2015, 2016 and 2017, and would become the first pole vaulter in collegiate history to claim a seventh national title with a win at this season's national championship in March. He has been named a National Athlete of the Week by the USTFCCCA four times in his collegiate career. 

The No. 2-ranked Cardinals will host the University of St. Francis in the Snow Day Dual on Friday, with competition in running events and field events set to begin at 4:45 p.m.