Bethke Named Big Ten Athlete of the Week
September 12, 2006 | Men's Cross Country
Brandon Bethke, a redshirt freshman on the University of Wisconsin men's cross country team, has been named the Big Ten Conference Co-Athlete of the Week, the conference office announced today. He shares the award with Ohio State's John Ealy.
Competing in his first meet in a UW uniform, Bethke won the Pioneer Harrier Invitational in Waukesha, Wis., last Saturday. A native of Lake Forest, Calif., Bethke covered the 8,000 meter course in 25 minutes, 50 seconds, leading Wisconsin to the team title. The Badgers scored just 17 points, winning the meet by 49 points ahead of second-place Monmouth College.
Bethke is a former California state cross country champion. He placed 11th in the 2004 Foot Locker Cross Country Championships and second at the 2004 Nike Team nationals. Last season, he did not compete in cross country but competed in USA Junior Outdoor Track & Field Championships, finishing fourth in the 3,000-meter steeplechase and fourth in the 1,500 meters.
