BENNINGTON, Vt. — The Southern Vermont College outdoor track & field coaching staff has named its Athlete of the Week from the Mountaineers’ meet at Smith College on April 9, this week’s honor going to sophomore runner Marc Brandmeyer (Bennington, Vt.).

Brandmeyer set a pair of personal records with new top program marks in both the 3000 meter steeplechase and the men’s 800 meter run during the Pioneer Invitational on Saturday.

The Mountaineer sophomore won the steeplechase for the second time this year, taking 11.80 seconds off his previous best in the event to chalk up a 9:51.62. He also took 1.55 seconds off his previous record in the 800, placing second over with a 2:02.19 showing.

“It was a tough decision as Isaiah [Backels] had an amazing day at pole vault,” commented SVC head coach Kathleen Newton. Marc winning and setting a PR in the steeple and a PR second-place finish in the 800 during a highly-competitive meet was great. The double of the steeple and 800 meters is very tough, especially in good competition. Marc is a tough competitor; he doesn't back down and pushes through ‘barriers’ that others won't approach.”

While Brandmeyer had already qualified for the Division III New England Championship with a previous performance in the steeplechase, his time on Saturday was the sixth-best turned in by a New England runner this year. His 800 mark was just under five seconds behind the qualifying time needed in that event as well.

Brandmeyer and the Mountaineers are back in action this weekend, April 16 as they head to the Upstate Classic hosted by Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.

Previous SVC Athletes of the Week
April 4: Cameron Michael Curtiss (Sr. – Milton, Vt.)