Hokie ClubBLACKSBURG – Following his first-place performance at the 90th Clyde Littlefield Texas Relays last weekend, junior Torben Laidig of the Virginia Tech men’s track and field team has been named the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) Men’s Field Performer of the Week, as announced by the league office on Tuesday.
Today’s honor is the fourth career weekly award for Laidig, a 2017 indoor first-team All-American as well as a five-time All-ACC first team honoree. Of note, the Schwabish Hall, Germany, native earned the award three times during the 2016 indoor season.
Facing some of the best competition in the nation, Laidig set the school record in the pole vault with a top mark of 5.70 meters (18 ft., 8.25 in.), breaking teammate Deakin Volz’s previous record of 5.65 meters set last summer at the U-20 World Championships in Poland. Laidig’s mark also represents the best in the nation this season and is a new ACC outdoor record. The ACC champion at the league’s indoor meet should be in the running for another gold medal at the league’s outdoor meet held in Atlanta in mid-May.
Of note, Laidig also was named the Virginia Tech Athlete of the Week earlier today.
Notre Dame’s Anna Rohrer earned Women’s Track Performer of the Week accolades, while Clemson’s Iana Amsterdam was named the ACC Women’s Field Performer of the Week. Additionally, Syracuse’s Freddie Crittenden III collected the ACC Men’s Track Performer of the Week honors.
Looking ahead, the Hokies will divide and conquer yet again, competing at both the Tennessee Relays and the Spec Town Relays on April 7-8.
Fans can follow all the action during each meet of the 2017 outdoor season by following the squad on Twitter and Instagram.