GREENSBORO, N.C. (theACC.com) – Following a stellar weekend that included one conference-record setting performance and several new school marks, the Feb. 5 group of Atlantic Coast Conference Performers of the Week features five student-athletes who each rank No. 1 or No. 2 nationally in their respective events.
Men’s Track Performer of the Week
Trey Cunningham, Florida State, Jr., Winfield, Ala.
Cunningham earned his second consecutive ACC weekly indoor honor and his third of the season after he put together the first and most impressive three-round performance of his career Friday at the Texas Tech Invitational. Cunningham won the 60-meter hurdles title in an ACC, Florida State and Sports Performance Center facility record time of 7.52. Cunningham’s winning time equals the No. 8 performance in NCAA history and breaks his ACC and FSU record deadlock previously shared with former Seminole Drew Brunson. One of 10 men on The Bowerman Preseason Watch List, the Winfield, Alabama. native lowered his NCAA-leading time in both the semifinals (7.57) and finals, where the Noles swept the top four spots. Two of the four fastest times in his career came at the meet, continuing a season which has already produced six of the 10 fastest times in his career through three meets.
Women’s Track Performer of the Week
Tiara McMinn, Miami, Jr.; Miami, Fla.
McMinn ran the first sub-eight second 60-meters hurdles time of her junior season to win the event at the Texas Tech Invitational. Her time of 7.95 ties her personal best time and her previous Miami record. McMinn now boasts the NCAA’s second fastest time and holds the fifth fastest time in the world.
Men’s Field Performer of the Week
Isaac Grimes, Florida State, Jr.; Moreno Valley, Calif.
Grimes joined teammate Trey Cunningham in earning his third weekly honor of the ACC indoor season. Grimes further established himself as a national championship contender in the long jump Saturday at the Texas Tech Invitational, The transfer from Chadron (Neb.) State closed out his third win in as many meets with the Noles by landing back-to-back 8.00-meter (26-3) marks to turn back a strong field. His indoor personal-best marked the third consecutive meet he has improved and further solidified his No. 2 national ranking behind LSU’s Rayvon Grey (8.09m/26-6.5). By beating teammate and runner-up Fabian Edoki (7.82m/25-8), Grimes owns sole possession of the No. 4 position on FSU’s all-time list.
Women’s Co-Field Performer of the Week
Rachel Tanczos, Notre Dame, Jr.; Danielsville, Pa.
Tanczos earned her second ACC Field Performer of the Week accolade following her stellar performance at the Power Five Invitational. Tanczos broke her own program record in the weight throw and set the Power Five meet record with a distance of 22.51 meters to win the event. The mark of 22.51m ranks first in the ACC and places Tanczos second nationally. She also competed in the shot put, where she registered a fourth-place throw of 15.23 meters.
Women’s Co-Field Performer of the Week
Rachel Baxter, Virginia Tech, Jr.; Orange, Calif.
Competing at the New Mexico Team Open, Baxter set a new school indoor track and field record and personal best in winning the pole vault competition. The junior cleared 4.53 meters (14 feet, 10.25 inches) on her second attempt and easily beat Nevada's Gabrielle Palmer for the title. Palmer's top vault was 4.10 meters (13 feet, 5.25 inches). In registering the nation’s No. 2 mark this season and best of the past weekend, Baxter broke her own school record of 4.47 meters (14 feet, 8 inches), which she set last year at the ACC Championships held at Virginia Tech’s Rector Field House.