May 1, 2008

ST. LOUIS - University of Northern Iowa junior Mat Clark has been named the State Farm Missouri Valley Conference Men's Field Athlete of the Week, the league announced Wednesday.

 

Clark, a native of Ames, Iowa, posted personal-best marks in eight events on his way to a second-place finish in the decathlon at last week's Drake Relays.

 

Clark, who posted an MVC-leading and personal-best score of 7,691 points, also earned automatic qualification to the NCAA Outdoor Championships and met the "B" qualifying standard for the U.S. Olympic Trials. His score also ranks Clark No. 2 on UNI's all-time list in the decathlon.

 

In the final two events of the competition, the All-American used the competition's top javelin throw (195-11) and the second-fastest time in the 1,500 meters (4:14.38) to overtake teammate and defending champion Raven Cepeda for the runner-up spot. Former Wisconsin standout Joe Detmer, who now trains with Clark and Cepeda at UNI, won the decathlon title with a score of 7,712 points.

 

Clark is the second UNI athlete to earn The Valley's weekly men's field athlete award in as many weeks. Sophomore high jumper Julian Morris was tabbed for the honor for the week of April 23.

 

The Panthers return to the track Saturday in the Musco Twilight Invitational, hosted by Iowa. Field events begin at the Cretzmeyer Track in Iowa City, Iowa, at 3 p.m.