Runner's & Triathlete's Web Athletics: Rupp named USATF Athlete of the Week

INDIANAPOLIS - 2008 Olympian Galen Rupp has been named USA Track & Field's Athlete of the Week after winning the men's individual national title Monday at the 2008 NCAA Division I Cross Country Championships in Terre Haute, Ind.

Rupp out-dueled Samuel Chelanga of Liberty University down the stretch to win his first NCAA individual title in leading his University of Oregon teammates to the NCAA team championship for the second consecutive year.

Over the final loop of the course, Rupp was content to let Chelanga lead until the pair hit the final straight away. With about 400 meters to go, Rupp made his final push and pulled clear for the title.

This marks the second consecutive week that Rupp has been named USATF'S Athlete of the Week. He previously earned the distinction on November 18 after compiling his second straight NCAA West Regional title on November 16 in Stanford, Calif. Rupp crossed the finish line in a blistering 27 minutes 41.24 seconds for the win on a course that was just 85m shy of 10,000 meters. With his victory, Rupp became the third Oregon runner to win back-to-back Regional titles, joining Jim Hill in 1982-83 and Karl Keska in 1995-96.

Now in its seventh year, USATF's Athlete of the Week program is designed to recognize outstanding 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.

2008 USATF Athlete of the Week Winners: January 8, Cheryl Foody; January 16, Nick Vena; January 22, Chanelle Price; January 29, Antwon Hicks; February 5, Adam Nelson; February 12, Lolo Jones; February 19, Adam Nelson; February 27, Michael Rodgers; March 3, Thomas Morgan; March 11, Bryan Clay; March 18, Bianca Knight; March 25, Phil Raschker; April 1, Orville Rogers; April 8, Lisa Koll; April 15, Ryan Hall, April 22, Deena Kastor; April 29, Leo Manzano; May 6, Shalane Flanagan; May 13, Bonnie Richardson; May 20, Jenn Stuczynski; May 27, Chanelle Price; June 3, German Fernandez; June 10, Brad Walker; June 18, Jenny Barringer; July 11, Jenn Stuczynski; July 16, Walter Henning; July 23, Jenny Barringer; July 29 Phyllis Francis; August 13, Franklin "Bud" Held; August 20, Stephanie Brown Trafton; August 26, Bryan Clay; September 2, Lauryn Williams; September 10, Chaunte Howard; September 16, Sanya Richards; September 23, Joan Samuelson; September 30, Sara Slattery; October 7, Fernando Cabada; October 14, Molly Huddle; October 28, Jordan Hasay; November 4, Kara Goucher; November 11, Kami Semick; November 18, Galen Rupp; November 26, Galen Rupp.