McClurkin Breaks Records, Earns Athlete of the Week

PROVO -- BYU senior Mindy McClurkin was named a Mountain West Conference Athlete of the Week for her performance last Saturday in the University of New Mexico Cherry and Silver Invitational.

This is the second time this season that McClurkin has been named an Athlete of the Week, her previous recognition coming in her only other competition this season, the BYU Indoor Invitational.

“Its always an honor to get this sort of recognition,” McClurkin said. “I just happened to have a really good meet this weekend. I have been working hard all off-season and everything seems to be coming together in my favor.”

McClurkin dominated the competition this weekend, winning two of her three events and breaking two BYU records. She won both the long jump and the 200-meter dash, and finished fourth in the 60-meters after finishing first in the preliminary race earlier in the day.

All three of McClurkin’s marks rank at the top of the MWC standings. Her 7.48 in the 60-meter dash broke the BYU record of 7.49 held by Dena Burrows since 1993. She also broke the BYU indoor 200-meter dash record with her provisionally qualifying time of 23.77, breaking the previous mark of 23.79 achieved by Cathie Guischard in 1993.

“I have been here five years, and since day one I looked at that record board and wanted to be on top,” McClurkin said. “It’s taken awhile for me to get to this point, but this accomplishment feels great. These records have been goals of mine for a long time.”

The 7.48 finish in the 60-meters currently ranks 32nd in the nation, and the 23.77 time in the 200-meters comes in at 6th in the nation.

McClurkin’s mark in the long jump, 20’-9.75’’ (6.34m), ranks third in the nation and fifth in BYU history, just behind 1992 NCAA National Heptathlon Champion Anu Kalijurand’s 20’-10’’.50 mark (6.36m).

The BYU women’s track team will be back in action this weekend, with part of the team heading to Seattle, Washington for the Washington Invitational, and the rest of the team heading to Boise, Idaho for the Boise Invitational.