May 6, 2003
TEMPE, Ariz. - Arizona State track and field senior Lisa Aguilera (Peoria, Ariz.) was honored Tuesday as the Pac-10 Conference's Female Track Athlete of the Week for the week of April 28-May 4. Aguilera's recognition comes on the heels of her record-setting performance Saturday at the team's annual Double Dual with Arizona and Northern Arizona.
"I went out and ran a relaxed race and the next thing I knew, I had set all these records," Aguilera said. "I heard the splits and thought they were off until I finished. It was a great feeling to have such a fast time, especially in my final home race as a Sun Devil. Now, I am just going to train and try to win a Pac-10 and national title."
Aguilera won the 3,000m steeplechase event in 9:51.65 to break the Pac-10 and Arizona State records set by former teammate Kelly MacDonald in 2001. The Sun Devil senior also established the new Sun Angel Stadium record in her final home competition at Joe Selleh Track. More impressive is her time is the fastest recorded this year among all collegiate athletes as well as post-collegiate American athletes. Her sub-10 minute time also is believed to be the third-fastest time among American runners ever.
Next up for Aguilera and the Sun Devils is a week off before traveling to Los Angeles, Calif., and USC for the 2003 Pac-10 Championships, May 17-18.