Mason Finley Named Big 12 Indoor Track and Field Athlete of the Week

Jan. 18, 2011

LAWRENCE, Kan. –

Kansas sophomore thrower Mason Finley was named Male Big 12 Indoor Track and Field Athlete of the Week for Jan. 14-18 after claiming both the shot put and weight throw titles at the Kansas-Missouri Dual Meet on Friday, Jan. 14. Skylar White of Baylor was named the female Big 12 Indoor Track & Field Athlete of the Week.

Finley, a 2011 Bowerman preseason watch list member, set the top mark in the NCAA this season throwing for 20.71 meters (67-11.50 feet) in the shot put event during Kansas’ annual KU-MU dual. The mark, a Jayhawk school record, shattered the previous best of 67-05.50 feet set in 1970, while also breaking Finley’s previous best in the event.

In addition to being the top mark in the NCAA for 2011, it is also the best in the world in 2011 and serves as an ‘A’ standard-qualifying mark for both the 2011 World Championships and the 2012 Olympic Games.

The Salida, Colo., native also recorded an 18.51 meters (60-08.75 feet) mark in the weight throw earning him another first-place finish.

This week’s honor marked the third time in Finley’s short Kansas career he has been honored by the Big 12 as he took home the award on two occasions last season, during the outdoor season.

The Kansas track and field teams will return to action when they host their and final home indoor meet the Jayhawk Classic on Friday, Jan. 28.