Floyd and McDowell earn MIAA Athlete of the Week honors for outdoor track and field

FREELAND, Mich. – Olivet College's Ariel Floyd and Kyle McDowell have earned Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) Athlete of the Week honors in outdoor track & field. Floyd was tabbed the Field Athlete of the Week and McDowell was chosen the Track Athlete of the Week.

Floyd finished fourth overall and first among NCAA Division III student-athletes in the hammer throw at the Alan Connie/ Shamrock Invitational in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Her throw of 156 feet, 6 inches broke the school record. It is also first in the MIAA by more than 35 feet, and ranks third among all NCAA Division III competitors.

"Ariel has made tremendous progress in her throwing events this year," said Olivet head coach Karen Lutzke. "Her confidence in the ring started to grow this indoor season and it paid off in her first outdoor meet with her school record in the hammer throw. We are excited to see Ariel continue to grow as a thrower and see what she can accomplish."

McDowell ran the 400-meter dash in 50.15 seconds, which leads the MIAA by 1.54 seconds. He also finished the 800-meter run in 2:01.90 and ran a leg of the 4x800-meter relay.

"Kyle is an outstanding competitor and gives 100 percent effort in every race," said Lutzke. "He continues to improve each meet and has the ability to contribute in various events. We are excited to see Kyle's improvement over the next few years."