University of Houston Athletics
Burks, Lattin Named American Athletes of the Week
4/11/2017 12:00:00 AM | Track and Field
PROVIDENCE â€" Junior jumper Tonye'cia Burks and sophomore hurdler Amere Lattin have been named American Athletic Conference Track & Field Athletes of the Week for their performances at the Houston Alumni Invitational, the league office announced Tuesday.
Lattin was on the track in a pair of events during Saturday's meet, competing in both the 110- and 400-meter hurdles. In the straight track, Lattin crossed the line in 13.73 to win the event and move to No. 9 in the NCAA this season. Just a short while later, Lattin made his season-debut in the 400 hurdles where he clocked the nation's 22nd best time at 51.38 to sweep the events.
After setting both the indoor and outdoor school records in the triple jump this season, Burks set her sights on the long jump at the Alumni Invitational. Burks qualified for the final by jumping 20-3.0 (6.17m) on her first attempt, before exploding for a leap of 21-0.5 (6.41m) on her final attempt to win the event. Burks' mark moves her to No. 7 on the NCAA rankings list this season.
Lattin has claimed four conference awards during the indoor and outdoor seasons, while Burks takes home the honor for the second time in 2017. This marks the second time this season that the duo has earned honors for the same week, having also occurred on March 28.
COUGAR AWARDS
Houston has now won a combined 17 Track & Field Athlete of the Week awards during the indoor and outdoor season. Last week, freshman Samiyah Samuels claimed her first career award by jumping 20-6.25 (6.25m) in the long jump at the Texas Relays.
Junior Cameron Cornelius has taken home a field award in each of the indoor and outdoor seasons, while Tori Williams has won three track awards this season (two indoor, one outdoor). Junior Cameron Burrell earned two track and one field awards during the indoor season, while Brian Barraza and Eli Hall each took track awards.
UP NEXT FOR HOUSTON
Houston heads to The Golden State for a pair of meets in California. The Cougars will compete at the Mt. SAC Relays April 13-15, in Torrance, Calif., while the remainder of athletes will compete at the Beach Invitational, hosted by Long Beach State on April 14-15, in Long Beach, Calif.
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