ATLANTA – The Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference announced weekly honors for men's and women's track and field on Wednesday, March 13. Fort Valley State's Cornelius Cooks II was named Men's Track Athlete of the Week, and Bashan Wesley brought home an additional honor for the Wildcts as Men's Field Athlete of the Week. Albany State's Nathalia Rowe was named Women's Track Athlete of the Week, and Sydney Blackburn brought home an additional honor for the Golden Rams as Women's Field Athlete of the Week.
MEN'S TRACK ATHLETE OF THE WEEK - Cornelius Cooks II, Fort Valley State University
Sophomore | Jacksonville, Fla.
Cooks II showcased his exceptional speed and agility, claiming victory in the 100 meters with a time of 10.86 seconds at the 2024 CAU Panther Track and Field Classic. He was also a key member of the winning 4x100 meter relay team, which crossed the finish line in 42.59 seconds. Additionally, Cooks proved his versatility by securing a fifth-place finish in the 200 meters, clocking in at 22.20 seconds.
MEN'S FIELD ATHLETE OF THE WEEK - Bashan Wesley, Fort Valley State University
Senior | Brunswick, Ga.
Wesley demonstrated his jumping prowess at the 2024 CAU Panther Track and Field Classic by earning third place in the long jump with a leap of 6.53 meters.
WOMEN'S TRACK ATHLETE OF THE WEEK - Nathalia Rowe, Albany State University
Junior | Atlanta, Ga.
Rowe delivered standout performances at the 2024 CAU Panther Track and Field Classic, securing second place in the 400m with a swift time of 57.77 seconds. She also competed in the 200m, finishing fifth with a time of 25.98 seconds.
WOMEN'S FIELD ATHLETE OF THE WEEK - Sydney Blackburn, Albany State University
Senior | Pompano Beach, Fla.
Blackburn stood out at the 2024 CAU Panther Track and Field Classic with exceptional performances in multiple events. She secured second place in the hammer throw with a mark of 38.55m and claimed the top spot in the discus throw with a throw of 44.58m. Additionally, Blackburn finished third in the shot put, reaching 11.44m.
About the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC)
The SIAC is a NCAA athletic conference consisting primarily of historically black colleges and universities with headquarters in downtown Atlanta, Georgia. The SIAC includes 15 member institutions (Albany State University, Allen University, Benedict College, Central State University, Clark Atlanta University, Edward Waters University, Fort Valley State University, Kentucky State University, Lane College, LeMoyne-Owen College, Miles College, Morehouse College, Savannah State University, Spring Hill College, and Tuskegee University), which are located within a contiguous seven-state footprint (Alabama, Georgia, Florida, Kentucky, South Carolina, Tennessee and Ohio). The SIAC sponsors seven men's and six women's sports and is a proud member of the NCAA Division II. For more information, visit www.thesiac.com.