BYU Track Sweeps Athlete of the Week Awards

Colorado Springs, Colo. (May 10, 2011) BYU senior Leif Arrhenius has been selected as the Mountain West Men's Outdoor Track & Field Athlete of the Week, while BYU junior Fatima Makakala has been named the Women's Outdoor Track & Field Athlete of the Week.

Arrhenius, from Orem, Utah, registered a season-best mark in the shot put last week at the Oxy Invitational in Los Angeles, Calif. Arrhenius earned second-place honors in the event, recording a throw of 62’-2.25” (18.95m). He was the top collegiate competitor in the shot put, finishing only behind his brother, Niklas, who competed professionally in the event. The senior’s mark ranks fifth all-time in MW history, is tops in the Conference this season and ranks sixth in the NCAA during the 2011 outdoor slate.

Makakala, hailing from Stockholm, Sweden, garnered first-place accolades in the 100-meter hurdles last week at the BYU Twilight Meet in Provo, Utah. Makakala recorded a personal-best mark in the event, clocking in with an adjusted time of 13.63 seconds. Her time currently ranks No. 1 in the Mountain West and 59th in the nation. Makakala also competed in the long jump at the BYU Twilight Meet, finishing second with a leap of 18’-9.25” (5.72m).