Lewis University freshman distance runner Stephanie Nielsen and McKendree University senior jumper LaTia Jefferson have been named the Great Lakes Valley Conference Women’s Indoor Track and Field Athletes of the Week, respectively, it was announced on Wednesday.

Jefferson hit an NCAA Division II provisional qualifying mark on Saturday with her performance in the triple jump at the Indiana Relays.  The Belleville, Ill., native finished tied for sixth overall in the field with a leap of 11.72 meters (38’-5.5”).  In addition to hitting the NCAA provisional mark, the jump represented a personal best for Jefferson.  She is currently ranked first in the conference and 17th nationally in the event.

This is the first weekly award in Jefferson’s career and the first for a McKendree field athlete since Kristin Wykoff was named GLVC Field Athlete of the Week on Feb. 13, 2013.