BATON ROUGE -- Former Lady Tiger standout Lolo Jones has been named USA Track & Field’s Athlete of the Week after earning a runner-up finish in the women’s 60-meter hurdles at the BW Bank Meeting in Karlsruhe, Germany, on Sunday.
Jones, who is the reigning U.S. Indoor champion in the 60 hurdles, recorded a new personal best time of 7.77 seconds in finishing second to Sweden’s Susanna Kallur, who set a new world record in the event after winning the race in 7.68.
Jones’ time is the third-fastest performance ever by an American athlete as only all-time great Gail Devers has cleared the 60-meter hurdles with a faster time at 7.74 and 7.76.
Jones is truly one of the all-time greats to ever wear the LSU uniform as she wrapped up her four-year career in 2004 as a three-time national champion and 11-time All-American. Her career was highlighted by being crowned NCAA indoor champion in the 60-meter hurdles in 2003.
Now in its seventh year, USATF’s Athlete of the Week program is designed to recognize outstanding American performers at all levels of the sport. USATF names a new honoree each week and features the athlete on the USATF website. Selections are based on top performances and results from the previous week.
Other USATF Athlete of the Week winners in 2008 include Cheryl Foody (Jan. 8), Nick Vena (Jan. 16), Chanelle Price (Jan. 22), Antwon Hicks (Jan. 29) and Adam Nelson (Feb. 5).