McDougal Named USATF Athlete of the Week

October 18, 2005 · Indianapolis, Ind.

Liberty's Josh McDougal has been named USA Track & Field\'s Athlete of the Week after he set a course record Saturday at the Pre-National Meet on the LaVern Gibson Championship Course at the Wabash Valley Family Sports Center in Terre Haute, Indiana.

McDougal (So., Peru, N.Y.) finished in 23 minutes, 12.6 seconds to better the previous record by 18 seconds, which was set earlier in the day during the Blue Race by BYU\'s Josh Rohatinsky. The 2004 World Junior Championships member, McDougal also improved his Big South Conference mark of 23.49 set last year. Only a sophomore, McDougal has set a total of six course records and has won 11 out of 12 races since competing for Liberty University.

Now in its fifth year, USATF\'s Athlete of the Week program is designed to recognize outstanding performers at all levels of the sport. USATF names a new honoree each week and features the athlete on the USATF website. Selections are based on top performances and results from the previous week.

Liberty will take next week off in preparation for the Big South Championships on October 29, in Lexington, Va.