Hokies’ Patterson, four from FSU honored
GREENSBORO, N.C. (theACC.com) –Three current world leaders and four student-athletes ranked No. 1 nationally in their respective events highlight the Atlantic Coast Conference Indoor Track and Field Performers of the Week for January 16.
Virginia Tech freshman Jacory Patterson – who on Tuesday was named NCAA Division I Male Athlete of the Week by the USTFCCCA – was selected as the ACC Men’s Co-Track Performer of the Week, along with Florida State junior sprinter Kasaun James. They are joined on this week’s list by three more student-athletes from FSU – senior Armani Wallace (ACC Men’s Field Performer of the Week), sophomore Jayla Kirkland (ACC Women’s Track Performer of the Week) and grad student Rougui Sow (ACC Women’s Field Performer of the Week).
A glance at this week’s honorees:
ACC Men’s Co-Track Performer of the Week
Jacory Patterson, Fr., Virginia Tech
Running his first event as a collegiate athlete, Patterson set a U20 record in the 300 meters at last weekend’s Virginia Tech Invitational with his time of 32.49, which is also a Virginia Tech school mark. The Columbia, South Carolina, native became the ninth-fastest American ever in the event and the second-fastest collegian. Patterson also ran the first leg on the Hokies’ 4x400 relay team that placed second among eight entrants with a time of 3:12.5 that ranks 15th nationally.
ACC Men’s ACC Co-Track Performer of the Week
Kasaun James, Jr., Florida State
In his first meet with FSU, junior college transfer Kasaun James emerged as the world leader in the 60-meter dash. The Orange & Purple Elite meet at Clemson produced the world’s top three times over 60 meters, and while James tied for second in the final, his 6.57 in the prelims stands alone around the globe and collegiately. The Chesapeake, Virginia, also ran a time of 6.597 in the final in a dead-heat with freshman teammate Bryand Rincher for second place by a scant .007 seconds behind winner Cravont Charleston of NC State. James capped his night by helping the Noles’ 4x400 relay to a second-place finish of 3:13.35, the fastest time by an FSU quartet since the 2017 ACC Indoor Championships
ACC Women’s Track Performer of the Week
Jayla Kirkland, So., Florida State
Kirkland’s first collegiate indoor 200-meter dash produced a world-leading time at Friday’s Orange & Purple Elite. Kirkland, who was limited to the 60-meter dash as a freshman, led a 1-through-4 finish by Seminoles in the 200. The Birmingham, Alabama, native’s time of 23.33 is not only fastest in the world early into the 2019 season, but also ranks No. 3 all-time among Seminoles. The 2018 ACC Indoor 60-meter champion, Kirkland is one of four Noles currently ranked among the top eight nationally and hold the top four spots in the ACC.
ACC Men’s Field Performer of the Week
Armani Wallace, Sr., Florida State
Wallace opened his senior season with the Seminoles by all but clinching a second consecutive trip to the NCAA Indoor Championships in the triple jump after claiming the individual title at Friday’s Orange & Purple Elite. Despite competing with a short approach, Wallace posted a winning mark of 16.01 meters (53-6.50) to put his name atop the Division I descending order list. His triple jump victory followed a runner-up finish in the long jump, where his top mark of 7.39 meters (24-3) is good enough to currently lead the ACC and rank 24th nationally.
ACC Women’s Field Performer of the Week
Rougui Sow, Gr., Florida State
Graduate transfer Rougui Sow had a memorable debut with the Seminoles, winning the long jump at the Orange & Purple Elite with a mark of 6.42 meters (21-0.75) to rank second nationally. A four-time All-American at South Carolina, Sow turned in the best season-opening performance of her career at Clemson, coming up just 4cm shy of her personal best. In addition to her high national ranking, the Le Havre, France native authored the No. 5 mark in FSU history. Sow was also one of three Noles to advance to 60-meter hurdles finals, where she placed seventh in 8.43.