Stripling Sutej earn weekly honors

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Arkansas Razorback women’s track and field team members Katie Stripling and Tina Sutej, both pole vaulters, have been honored by the Southeastern Conference, it was announced on Tuesday.

Junior Katie Stripling was named the SEC Field Athlete of the Week and freshman Tina Sutej was named the SEC Freshman of the Week.

Stripling won the championship flight of the pole vault at the New Balance Collegiate Invitational as she cleared an NCAA automatic-qualifying mark of 13-9.25 to take the win in the field of 19.

She led her teammates to a 1-2-4-9 finish in the event and marks the first time in her career that she won the event.

Stripling’s height of 13-9.25 is tied for the fifth-best mark in school history. She still holds a season best of 13-11.25 which leads the SEC, ranks fourth nationally and is the second-best mark in school history.

Sutej cleared 13-9.25 to earn a runner-up finish in the championship flight of the pole vault at the New Balance Collegiate Invitational.

Her clearance is an NCAA automatic qualifier, is an indoor personal best and is tied for fifth-best mark in Arkansas school history.

With her height of 13-9.25, she tied the Slovenian senior national record in the event. She also ranks second in the SEC and ninth nationally.

The Razorbacks will host the 2009 Tyson Invitational, Fri.-Sat., Feb 13-14. For more information on Arkansas track and field, visit ArkansasRazorbacks.com.