ST. LOUIS- The Missouri Valley Conference announced Tuesday that Wichita State's Tomas Cotter earned its Men's Track Athlete of the Week Award. This is the first time that Cotter has earned Valley Athlete of the Week Honors.

Cotter, set a new personal best of in his first 3,000m steeplechase of 2013. He finished fifth in the elite division 3,000m steeplechase and second among collegiate athletes at the MT. Sac relays.

The senior's time of 8:45.73 improved his PR by over four seconds. Cotter ranks seventh in the NCAA and fourth in the West Region in the 3,000m Steeplechase.

Cotter's time is the best in the Valley in the steeplechase this season. He leads his closest competition by 20 seconds.  With this performance, Cotter also posted the fourth fastest 3,000m steeplechase time in school history. 

The Irishman also has the fastest 1,500m time (3:50.78) in the MVC this season. He ranks fourth in the conference in the 5,000m run (14:38.63).

A two time MVC Champion (2012 Indoor 3,000m, 2012 Outdoor Steeplechase), Cotter will try to win his third conference title at the MVC Outdoor Championships, May 10-12.

The senior will compete in his final home meet this weekend, as he runs the 1,500m in the Track-It Buster Invitational at Cessna Stadium. Cotter currently holds the meet record in the 1,500m run.

The  Track-It-Buster Invitational will begin on Friday night, April 26, at 8 p.m. with four distance races. Field events will begin Saturday, April 27, at 11:30 a.m. with the men's hammer throw. Running events will resume at 6 p.m. Saturday night with Cotters' race scheduled to begin at 8:40 p.m.

For tickets to the Track-It-Buster Invitational, contact the Shocker Ticket Office online here, by phone at 316-978-FANS (3267, or visit them in person at the southwest corner of Charles Koch Arena. 

-Wichita State-