Colorado University Athletics
Thompson and Belassi Named CU Athletes of the Week
March 31, 2009 | General, Men's Golf, Tennis, Track and Field, Women's Golf
BOULDER-- University of Colorado athletes Christian Thompson (sophomore) and Camila Belassi (junior) were named the Athletes of the Week for the week of March 23-29. This marks the first career honors for both athletes.
Thompson, a Candor, N.Y. (Candor) native, earned a regional qualifying time in the 3,000-meter steeplechase at the Stanford Invitational. Thompson placed third overall in the second section of the steeplechase with a personal record of 9 minutes, 0.57 seconds. He finished just five seconds after Oklahoma State's David Chirchir (8:55.13). Jonathan Cherono of Arkansas was the only other racer to beat Thompson and just nipped him at the finish in 9:00.42.
Belassi, a Paysand, Uruguay (San Pablo) native, clinched her fifth team victory of the spring season helping the Colorado tennis team to a 6-1 victory over the No. 68 ranked Texas Tech Red Raiders in their lone match of the week. The victory improves the Buffaloes to 9-5 overall and a school-best 5-0 to begin Big 12 Conference play. Belassi won her fourth straight singles match defeating TTU's top singles player Samantha van der Drift (TTU) 6-3, 7-6(5). In doubles, Belassi teamed with Melisa Esposito upsetting the nation's No. 43 ranked and previously unbeaten Big 12 tandem of van der Drift and Kelsy Garland, 8-4 at the No.1 slot.
Others nominated for this week's award were: Patrick Grady (men's golf), Emma Coburn (women's track), and Dominique Pytlewski (women's golf).
Men's Golf: Patrick Grady, Senior, Highlands Ranch, Colo.
Grady led the Buffaloes to a fourth place finish in the Oregon Duck Invitational, tying for 12th overall after he turned in a 76-70-74--220 performance, or 4-over par, on the 7,033-yard, par-72 Eugene Country Club course. The effort marked his 14th career top 20 finish, tying him for 12th all-time at CU with four other players. Grady's nine birdies tied for the team-best this week, as were his 33 pars.
Women's Track: Emma Coburn, Freshman, Crested Butte, Colo.
Coburn just missed recording her second regional mark in as many weeks as she finished the 1,500-meter run in 4:30.77 and placed sixth in the section. She was just three seconds off the regional mark 4:27.80. Coburn already qualified for regionals in the steeplechase at the Potts Invite.
Women's Golf: Dominique Pytlewski, Junior, Vancouver, B.C.
Pytlewski paced the way for the Buffs in their own MountainView Collegiate this weekend. Pytlewski, before a rough third round, was 1-over after day one, thanks to a second round score of 71. Pytlewski slipped down in the standings on day two, but still managed to hang on to lead the team as she carded a 222 three-round total, good for 22nd place individually on the weekend.
