Kearney, Neb. – Nebraska-Kearney redshirt freshman Wes Ferguson is the Division II male U.S. Track & Field Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) National Athlete of the Week for January 18, 2022.
Ferguson, a second-year Loper from Fremont, set a new NCAA Division II record at 1,000-meters when he turned in a 2:23.80 to win the event Friday night in Lincoln. He used a late surge to get past Drake’s Adam Fogg, a D1 All-American, down the stretch to place first at the Nebraska Graduate Classic. That time ranks him first in D2 and is the second fastest in college this season.
The first UNK track athlete to win this USTFCCCA award, Ferguson’s time bests the previous D2 standard of 2:24.37, held by Dage Minors of Franklin Pierce (N.H.) in 2015. He also broke the school-record of 2:25.36, set by Cole Wellnitz in 2016. Finally, Ferguson also is the current D2 leader at 800 meters (descending order 1:49.8), a time achieved back in December at the UNK Pre-Holiday Classic.
The Lopers head to the Bearcat Open this Saturday in Maryville.
Ferguson Earns National Honor
