AVE MARIA, Fla.- The Ave Maria University track and field program saw two of their athletes honored by the NAIA on Wednesday, when the national office unveiled it's first outdoor Track and Field Athletes of the Week. Freshman Michael Long was named the Male Track Athlete of the Week, while sophomore Caitlyn O'Brien earned Female Field Athlete of the Week honors.

The first group of NAIA National Track and Field Athletes of the Week were selected based on their performances from the first two weeks of the outdoor season and were selected out of a pool of nominees from across the country. The NAIA recognizes both a track athlete and a field athlete each week.

Michael Long ran the fastest 800 meter time in the nation thus far this season, winning the event at the Embry-Riddle Blue and Gold Invitational with a time of 1:50.60. Long's time easily hit the NAIA "A" standard. Long also set a personal record in the 200 meters with a time of 22.60. Long ran a school record time in the 800 meters in February, clocking in at 1:50.17 at the Florida University Last Chance.

O'Brien won the gold medal in the long jump at the Embry-Riddle Blue and Gold Invitational, claiming the title with a 5.4 meter jump on her last attempt. The sophomore, who was a national qualifier in the event last season, currently ranks fifth in the nation and just missed the NAIA "B" standard by less than .3 meters. O'Brien also currently ranks fifth in the nation in the 100 meter hurdles.

The first national awards of the season were split between Ave Maria and Oregon Tech. The male field award winner was Southern Oregon's, Andrew Mitchell who earn a spot on the podium at the Lane Open with his throws in the javelin and discus. The female track winner was teammate Cammeo Ramirez, who won gold in the 1500 and silver in the 800 in the same event.

Ave Maria's next two meets will be hosted by NCAA Division I programs, and those from power conferences at that. The Gyrenes will head to the University of Central Florida for the Knights Invitational on March 22, then will travel to Coral Gables for the Hurricane Alumni Invitational, hosted by the University of Miami, on April 6. AMU will also compete at Keiser before The Sun Conference Championships in Miami Gardens on April 27.