RIVERDALE, N.Y. - Manhattan College's Anastas Papazov (Balchik, Bulgaria) and Cara Rostant (Valley Stream, N.Y.) have earned the first Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) Performer of the Week honors for the 2012 outdoor track & field season. Both athletes were selected for their performances at the season-opening Baldy Castillo Invitational on March 16-17.
Papazov, a freshman, was the top collegian in the hammer throw, uncorking a toss of 64.63 meters (212 feet). With that mark, the fifth-best in the NCAA this season, he moved into eighth place on the Jaspers' all-time list in the event. Papazov also automatically qualified for the IC4A Championships and NCAA East Regional, as well as securing a place in the next edition of the European Under-23 Championships.
Rostant, a junior, qualified for the ECAC Championships in the 200 meters with a personal-best time of 24.27 seconds. She also ran the third leg on the Jaspers' 4 x 100 meter relay squad that registered a clocking of 47.26 seconds.
This marks the second straight year in which Rostant has been named MAAC Performer of the Week for her effort at the Baldy Castillo Invitational. It's also her second MAAC Performer of the Week honor of the year. She was recognized during the indoor season on Feb. 7. Rostant was also named Most Outstanding Performer for Track Events at the MAAC Indoor Championships, where the Jaspers placed second as a team.
The Jaspers return to action this weekend at Army's Dick Shea Invitational. Competition gets underway at 12 p.m. on Friday and concludes on Saturday.
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