Manny Velasquez Claims ASUN Track Athlete of the Week Honors

LakePoint, Ga. - North Florida's Manny Velasquez and NJIT's Daniel Leung will share this week's Men's ASUN Conference Indoor Track Athlete of the Week Honors as announced by the league office.

Somber feelings follow what had originally been a big day for UNF's Manny Velasquez. The junior competed in the one mile for the first time in his career at this past weekend's Camel City Invitational, running an adjusted time of 4:19.94. The long distance runner came in 22nd overall among college attached athletes, but posted the seventh fastest time of any ASUN athlete this season. Shortly after his run however, Velasquez was struck by a passing tractor trailer in the parking lot of the JDL Fast Track Facility during his cool down run. Velasquez was rushed to a nearby hospital where he had his spleen removed along with multiple surgeries to correct knee and pelvis injuries. The Osprey performer is now listed in stable conditions and while he has a long road to recovery, accompanied by further surgery, Velasquez is described to be in high spirits and looking forward to returning to class in Jacksonville.

Daniel Leung is taking home NJIT's first-ever ASUN Indoor Track & Field Weekly Award after setting a new program record at the METS Indoor Championships in Staten Island this past weekend. The junior ran a 6.97 in the 60m dash to claim second place in the event and the fastest event time in the conference this season. Leung's pace automatically qualifies the sprinter for the IC4A Indoor Track and Field Championships, to be held in early March.

ASUN Men's Indoor Track Athletes of the Week - Feb. 8th
Manny Velasquez, North Florida
Junior | Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. | Business Management

- First Career ASUN Track Athlete of the Week Award
- Competed in the one mile event for the first time in his career at the Camel City Invitational
- Ran an adjusted time of 4:19.94 in the one mile event
- Time was 22nd among college attached athletes and the seventh fastest marker in the ASUN this season
- Shortly after the race Velasquez was struck by a tractor trailer during the middle of his cool down run. Currently listed as stable at hospital in North Carolina, awaiting further surgeries, but is said to be in high spirits

Quotable...
"It's such an honor to see Manny receive the ASUN Athlete of the Week award. His mile run was very nice but the toughness he demonstrated after being struck by a vehicle was amazing. Manny is known as a gritty, tough competitor. The traits that he honed in track are going to be instrumental in leading him back on the road to a full recovery. He is determined to win another Athlete of the Week award in 2018." -- UNF head coach Jeff Pigg

"It will take a lot more than a truck and trailer to take me down. My body is broken but my heart has never felt so full because of all the love and support," -- Manny Velasquez

Players Mentioned

Manny Velasquez