MADISON, Wis. – After an incredible performance on her home turf at the Wisconsin Twilight meet, Wisconsin women's track and field freshman Sophia Rivera was named the Big Ten Field Athlete of the Week for the first time in her career on Wednesday. 

Last weekend at the Wisconsin Twilight, Rivera swept both of her events, winning the shot put with a personal best throw of 55-1 1/2 (16.80m) which ranks as the third best throw in school history. The Brentwood, Missouri, native also took home gold in the javelin with a throw of 173-6 (52.88m), just two feet shy of her personal best and school record mark.  Both of her marks ranked No. 2 in the country last week among all NCAA student-athletes. 

Rivera has spent much of the year climbing the UW record books where she currently holds a spot in three outdoor events as well as the indoor shot put. The freshman opened her outdoor season by breaking the school record in the javelin with a throw of 175-2 (53.40m) at the California Collegiate Open.

The freshman standout is the second Badger to win Big Ten Field Athlete of the Week this year as Georgia Ellenwood also earned the honor in April after her record-breaking performance in the heptathlon at the Bryan Clay Invitational. 

Rivera and the Badgers are headed to championship weekend in Bloomington, Indiana for the 2018 Big Ten Outdoor Track and Field Championships. Action will kick off on Friday at the Robert C Haugh Track & Field Complex.