SEWARD, Neb. – A pair of standouts from the national powerhouse Concordia University Track & Field program have picked up awards based on their performances last week at the Scott Nisely Memorial Classic. Senior Morgan De Jong has been named the GPAC Hauff/Mid-America Sports Women’s Field Athlete of the Week while sophomore Kylahn Heritage has been voted the GPAC Hauff/Mid-America Sports Women’s Track Athlete of the Week. The announcement was made by the GPAC on Wednesday (Jan. 20).
A 2020 NAIA All-American in the weight throw, De Jong nearly matched her personal best in the same event with her toss of 56’ 8 ¾” in a winning performance at the Nisely Memorial hosted by Doane. The native of Orange City, Iowa, also competed in the shot put and placed 10th with a mark of 37’ 5.” De Jong owns the top weight throw in the NAIA so far this indoor season. On the program’s all-time weight throw list, De Jong ranks No. 8 (57’ 9 ¾”) as part of a long line of All-Americans in the event.
A star distance runner, Heritage won the one mile and 3,000 meter races at the Nisely Memorial. The Nampa, Idaho, native clocked in at 5:25.05 in the mile and at 11:05.97 in the 3,000 meters. On the current NAIA national lists, Heritage ranks among the top 12 in three events: seventh in the 1,000 (3:06.04), seventh in the mile (5:21.87) and 12th in the 3,000 (11:00.31). Heritage also earned a GPAC Runner of the Week award in cross country and has been a key figure in team conference championships in both cross country and track and field.
De Jong, Heritage and the rest of the Bulldogs will return to action on Friday for the Concordia Polar Dog Invite. The meet is scheduled to get underway at 4 p.m. CT from the Fieldhouse.