NEW ORLEANS - University of Alaska Anchorage sophomore Joshua Caleb was named the United States Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association Men's Div. II Athlete of the Week.

The native of Okrika, Nigeria, said hello to both the indoor season and the record book this past weekend at the Silver & Blue Invitational in Reno, Nevada.

Caleb tore up the track in his season opener, taking down a 30-year-old African U20 record in the 60 meters and clocking a world-leading and collegiate-leading mark in the 200 meters.

His 60-meter time of 6.57 bested the 6.58 effort that Ibrahim Meité of the Ivory Coast set back on February 13, 1994. No one came within 0.07 seconds of that mark indoors before Caleb took to the straightaway in Reno, Nevada.

Then Caleb turned one lap in 20.86, which sits atop the All-College Descending Order List by 0.07 seconds. That mark is also second on the Nigerian U20 all-time chart behind a 28-year-old best of 20.57 established by Francisco Obikwelu.

"Josh had a great first year for us, but he wasn't satisfied with how either national meet went," said associate head coach Ray Shadowens. "Since then he has been working his tail off to improve in any way he can, be it strength, fitness, or his technique. I think it's safe to say it's paying off." 

This is the first time in program history that a male athlete from Alaska Anchorage has been named M-F Athletic National Athlete of the Week during the indoor season.

Alaska Anchorage will compete at the UW Preview Jan. 18th.