Yessie Valencia named Horizon League Track and Field Athlete of the Week

Yessie+Valencia+gets+ready+for+a+throw+at+Penn+State.+Photo+credit%3A+Jordan+Redinger

Yessie Valencia gets ready for a throw at Penn State. Photo credit: Jordan Redinger

Michael Deemer

Yessie Valencia has been on fire lately. The fifth-year thrower, fresh off the Horizon League title in the weight throw in the indoor championships last month, most recently won the discus throw at the Carnegie Mellon Invitational at nearby Gesling Stadium in Pittsburgh, making her the conference track and field athlete of the week.

Valencia broke her own Gesling Stadium record in the discus with 49.97 meters (163’11”) to claim gold in the opening outdoor meet of the year.

In addition to winning gold, Valencia finished fourth in the shot put at 12.15 meters (39’10.50″) as well as seventh in the hammer throw at 43.96 meters (144’3″).

Among Horizon League leaders early in the 2022 outdoor season, Valencia owns the top performance of the year in the discus while ranking third in the shot put and fourth in the hammer throw.

The Colonials return to action Saturday, Apr. 2, by competing in the Mountaineer Classic in Morgantown, WV, at The Track & Field Complex at Mylan Park.