April 18, 2001

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - UNLV freshman track and field standout Christine Spence has been named the Mountain West Conference Women's Track and Field Athlete of the Week, the league announced on Wednesday.

Spence earns the honor after collecting her first career win in the high jump at the San Diego All-Women's Invitational last Saturday. She cleared a personal best 5-08.50 to win the event by two full inches. Her mark is just a quarter-inch short of the UNLV freshman record.

Alongside her victory in the high jump, Spence finished second in the 400-meter hurdles, clocking a season-best 1:01.20.

Her marks in both events rank fourth in the league this season and tops among all freshmen.

She is the first Rebel to claim Athlete of the Week honors this outdoor season.