Air Force Trio Honored by Mountain West
2/14/2023 3:39:00 PM | Track and Field
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - Three members of the Air Force track and field team were honored by the Mountain West this afternoon (Feb. 14), as the senior duo of Sam Gilman and Jaret Prete were named Athletes of the Week for Men's Track and Men's Field, respectively, and Nathalia Veal was selected as the MW Women's Freshman of the Week.
It is the eight career Athlete of the Week award for Gilman – a tally that ties the program record held by Dylan Bell, Patrick Corona, and Shelley Spires. Prete, who has claimed the Men's Field Athlete of the Week during three of the last four weeks, improved his career tally to five, while Veal claimed the first conference honor of her career – and the first for the women's team this season.
Gilman had a stellar day on the track at the David Hemery Valentine Invitational, setting an Air Force and Mountain West Record time of 7:43.70 in the 3000-meter run. On Saturday, Feb. 11 – exactly one year after breaking the program's six-year-old standard by three seconds, he deleted another four off his own record during the top section of the race, which included Olympians and professional runners. Using his trademark late kick, Gilman won his heat – and the full event that included more than 250 runners – by one second. In addition to breaking the program and conference record, Gilman's time is the fastest ever by any Service Academy runner, and the 10th-fastest time in the NCAA this season.
Prete broke his own Academy Record in the weight throw at the Don Kirby Invitational Friday, Feb. 10 – becoming the first Air Force thrower to ever surpass 20 meters, as he unleashed a conference-leading throw of 20.41m (66'11½"). The senior broke his old Academy standard during his first two attempts, recording a (then-best) distance of 66'1", before improving that to the new standard on his next attempt. Prete, who also surpassed the 66-foot barrier on his third throw (66'10"), finished fifth in the 31-thrower event and was the top thrower from a non-Power 5 school. Leading the Mountain West by more than five feet, the senior is ranked 42nd in the NCAA.
Veal also had a career day at the Don Kirby Invitational, finishing fourth in her section of the pole vault with a career-best clearance of 3.61m (11'10". Improving her overall height by more than four inches, Veal is tied for 12th in the conference and holds the 20th-best vault in program history.
It is the eight career Athlete of the Week award for Gilman – a tally that ties the program record held by Dylan Bell, Patrick Corona, and Shelley Spires. Prete, who has claimed the Men's Field Athlete of the Week during three of the last four weeks, improved his career tally to five, while Veal claimed the first conference honor of her career – and the first for the women's team this season.
Gilman had a stellar day on the track at the David Hemery Valentine Invitational, setting an Air Force and Mountain West Record time of 7:43.70 in the 3000-meter run. On Saturday, Feb. 11 – exactly one year after breaking the program's six-year-old standard by three seconds, he deleted another four off his own record during the top section of the race, which included Olympians and professional runners. Using his trademark late kick, Gilman won his heat – and the full event that included more than 250 runners – by one second. In addition to breaking the program and conference record, Gilman's time is the fastest ever by any Service Academy runner, and the 10th-fastest time in the NCAA this season.
Prete broke his own Academy Record in the weight throw at the Don Kirby Invitational Friday, Feb. 10 – becoming the first Air Force thrower to ever surpass 20 meters, as he unleashed a conference-leading throw of 20.41m (66'11½"). The senior broke his old Academy standard during his first two attempts, recording a (then-best) distance of 66'1", before improving that to the new standard on his next attempt. Prete, who also surpassed the 66-foot barrier on his third throw (66'10"), finished fifth in the 31-thrower event and was the top thrower from a non-Power 5 school. Leading the Mountain West by more than five feet, the senior is ranked 42nd in the NCAA.
Veal also had a career day at the Don Kirby Invitational, finishing fourth in her section of the pole vault with a career-best clearance of 3.61m (11'10". Improving her overall height by more than four inches, Veal is tied for 12th in the conference and holds the 20th-best vault in program history.
Players Mentioned
Distance
/ Track and Field
Throws
/ Track and Field
Pole Vault
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