Williams, Batu-Tiako Claim Conference POW Laurels

Oskaloosa–Brandon Williams (Jr., Fountain, Colo., Civil Engineering) and Abigaille Batu-Tiako (Sr., Plattsburgh, N.Y., Business Management) were rewarded for big weekends as the Heart of America Athletic Conference Track and Field Athlete of the Week awards were announced Monday.

Williams was named Men’s Track Athlete, while Batu-Tiako earned the Female Field Athlete honor. The award is the first for both individuals in their careers.

Williams won the 1,000-meter run at the St. Ambrose Tune Up last Saturday, both breaking the school record as well as hitting the ‘A’ standard with a time of 2:29.56.

The junior currently leads the Heart in both the 800 and 1,000-meter runs, while being seventh in the NAIA in the 1,000 and eighth in the 800.

At the Pittsburg State Gorilla Classic last Friday, Batu-Tiako eclipsed the national-qualifying mark (provisional standard) and broke her own school record with a long jump of 18-1.75. She placed ninth overall in the event.

The senior ranks third in the Heart and 18th nationally in the long jump. Among league competitors, Batu-Tiako is also 10th in the pentathlon (2,616 points), 12th in both the 60-meter dash (8.04 seconds) and 60-meter hurdles (9.54 seconds), and 22nd in the high jump (4-7.5).

WPU now has one accolade on both the men’s and women’s squads.