Dec. 8, 2008

EAST LANSING, Mich. - The 2008-09 Michigan State track & field program saw three of its student-athletes earn Big Ten Athlete of the Week honors on Monday, as announced by the conference office. Stemming from their performances at the MSU Invitational last Friday, freshman Becca Buchholtz (East Troy, Wis.), sophomore Charelise Davis (Pittsburgh, Pa.) and redshirt freshman Jay Gillespie (Allen Park, Mich.) all earned their first Big Ten Athlete of the Week honors.

Gillespie was honored as the Big Ten Male Field Athlete of the Week. Gillespie becomes the first Spartan to be named the Big Ten Male Field Athlete of the Week since Steve Sherer took home the honor on Jan. 22, 2002. Gillespie set a new school-record in the weight throw at the Spartan Invitational. Gillespie's toss measured in at 18.40m (60-4 1/2), placing him in third-place overall. Only teammates Kyle Strotbaum (Grand Rapids, Mich.) and Anthony Agrusa (St. Clair Shores, Mich.) finished ahead of him. But since Strotbaum and Agrusa competed unattached, Gillespie now owns the school-record. He also placed fifth in the shot put after measuring in at 15.26m (50-0 3/4).

In her first competition as a Spartan, Buchholtz took home the pentathlon title. That title helped her earn Big Ten Female Field Athlete of the Week. While winning four of the five events, Buchholtz tallied two personal-records, highlighted by a shot put toss of 12.03m (39-5 3/4). Buchholtz also clocked in at 9.56 to win the 60m hurdles, a personal-best in the event. She also claimed top honors in the high jump (1.73m/5-8) and took second in the long jump (5.37m/17-7 1/4). Her score of 3,515 was 150 points higher than the next closest competitor. With the award, Buchholtz becomes the first Spartan to win the award since Sarah Adelaine earned the title on Feb. 24, 2004.

The Spartan track & field program will return to action after the holiday break as they head to Central Michigan to take part in the Chippewa Open on Jan. 9, 2009.