Oklahoma State University Athletics
Noelle, Piliusina Named Big 12 Athletes of the Week
May 06, 2015 | Cowboy Cross Country & Track, Cowgirl Cross Country & Track
Both athletes have worldwide top-15 times
IRVING, Texas --Â Oklahoma State's Natalja Piliusina and Chad Noelle have been named Big 12 Track and Field Athletes of the Week, the conference
announced Wednesday. It marks the first Big 12 Athlete of the Week awards for both the Cowboys and Cowgirls this season, as each athlete ran a time
that ranks in the top-15 in the world this year.
Piliusina and Noelle received the honor for their outstanding performances at the 2015 Payton Jordan Invitational last weekend.
Piliusina ran her best race in nearly two years. The Cowgirl senior and national champion was forced to sit out the entire 2014 season because of
injuries, but looked to be back at her championship form when she finished the 800-meter run in 2:01.93, just three-tenths of a second behind the first
place finisher and good for third in the event.
Her time is the fifth fastest in the NCAA and the best in the Big 12 this year. She is the only Lithuanian woman with a time in the top-25 in the world in the
800-meter run, ranked at No. 14 worldwide.
Noelle also had a stellar weekend in Palo Alto, Calif., where he ran the fastest 1,500 in the NCAA this season and broke his personal best by 1.7 seconds.
Noelle's 3:38.35 is the fastest time by an American this year and the seventh-fastest time in the world. He beat Penn State's Robby Creese who ran the
second-best time in the NCAA this season, and fellow Cowboy Kirubel Erassa who put up the third fastest 1,500 this season.
The three-time All-American and three-time Big 12 champion was less than a second from breaking the impressive OSU school record.
Noelle and Piliusina will return to the track May 15 at the Big 12 Outdoor Championships in Ames, Iowa. Noelle is the reigning 1,500-meter champion in
the Big 12 and Piliusina won three straight 800-meter titles before sitting out the 2014 season.
announced Wednesday. It marks the first Big 12 Athlete of the Week awards for both the Cowboys and Cowgirls this season, as each athlete ran a time
that ranks in the top-15 in the world this year.
Piliusina and Noelle received the honor for their outstanding performances at the 2015 Payton Jordan Invitational last weekend.
Piliusina ran her best race in nearly two years. The Cowgirl senior and national champion was forced to sit out the entire 2014 season because of
injuries, but looked to be back at her championship form when she finished the 800-meter run in 2:01.93, just three-tenths of a second behind the first
place finisher and good for third in the event.
Her time is the fifth fastest in the NCAA and the best in the Big 12 this year. She is the only Lithuanian woman with a time in the top-25 in the world in the
800-meter run, ranked at No. 14 worldwide.
Noelle also had a stellar weekend in Palo Alto, Calif., where he ran the fastest 1,500 in the NCAA this season and broke his personal best by 1.7 seconds.
Noelle's 3:38.35 is the fastest time by an American this year and the seventh-fastest time in the world. He beat Penn State's Robby Creese who ran the
second-best time in the NCAA this season, and fellow Cowboy Kirubel Erassa who put up the third fastest 1,500 this season.
The three-time All-American and three-time Big 12 champion was less than a second from breaking the impressive OSU school record.
Noelle and Piliusina will return to the track May 15 at the Big 12 Outdoor Championships in Ames, Iowa. Noelle is the reigning 1,500-meter champion in
the Big 12 and Piliusina won three straight 800-meter titles before sitting out the 2014 season.
Players Mentioned
/ Cowboy Cross Country & Track
/ Cowboy Cross Country & Track
/ Cowgirl Cross Country & Track
Friday, June 05
Friday, May 29
Wednesday, May 27
Monday, May 18
