Illinois, Indiana, Nebraska and Penn State Earn Weekly Accolade

Men’s Indoor Track Athlete of the Week

Cheickna Traore, Penn State

Gr. – Linden, N.J. – Innovation – Graduate Certificate Program: Leadership in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

• Won the 400 meter dash with a personal-best 46.50

• His time is now the second-fastest recorded time in the world

• Now ranks third in school history

• Earns his first career Big Ten Men’s Indoor Track Athlete of the Week

• Last Penn State Men’s Indoor Track Athlete of the Week: Oliver Desmeules (Feb. 1, 2023)

Men’s Indoor Field Athlete of the Week

Henry Zimmerman, Nebraska

Sr. – New Albany, Ohio – New Albany – Major: Communication Studies

• Won the Graduate Classis weight throw title with a distance of 22.42m

• Ranks first in program history and second-best in the nation this season

• Earns his first career Big Ten Men’s Indoor Field Athlete of the Week

• Last Nebraska Men’s Indoor Field Athlete of the Week: Till Steinforth (Feb. 8, 2023)

Women’s Indoor Track Athlete of the Week

Kenisha Phillips, Indiana

Gr. – Georgetown, Guyana – Chase’s Academic Foundation – Major: Non-degree seeking program

• Won the 400 meter dash with a personal best time of 52.37 at the Commodore Challenge

• Broke a 22-year-old school record and now holds the fastest time in the Big Ten

• Ranks second in the NCAA

• Earns her first career Big Ten Women’s Indoor Track Athlete of the Week

• Last Indiana Women’s Indoor Track Athlete of the Week: LaSarah Hargrove (Dec. 15, 2021)

Women’s Indoor Field Athlete of the Week

Darja Sopova, Illinois

Jr. – Ventspils, Latvia – Ventspils State Gymnasium No.1 – Major: Communications

• Won the triple jump title with a mark of 13.56m

• Her jump now ranks first in school history taking down a previous record held for 21 years

• Currently leads the nation in the triple jump

• Earns her first career Big Ten Women’s Indoor Field Athlete of the Week

• Last Illinois Women’s Indoor Field Athlete of the Week: Tori Thomas (Jan. 10, 2024)

2023-24 Big Ten Indoor Track & Field Athletes of the Week

Dec. 13

Men’s

T: Kalen Walker, IOWA

F: Sean Smith, IOWA

Women’s

T: Paige Magee, IOWA

F: Daniela Martine Wamakpego, IOWA

Jan. 10

Men’s

T: None

F: Kam Garrett, ILL

Women’s

T: None

F: Tori Thomas, ILL 

Jan. 17

Men’s

T: Cheickna Traore, PSU

F: Henry Zimmerman, NEB

Women’s

T: Kenisha Phillips, IND

F: Darja Sopova, ILL