This week's Athletes of the Week come from the same conference and same team. Competing in the Peach Belt Conference, UNC-Pembroke's Pardon Ndhlovu and Liva Mahaffie, turned in impressive performances in their individual races at the Conference Championships over the weekend. For their efforts, they have been named this week's MileSplit U National Performers of the Week.
Ndhlovu, a senior, successfully defended his conference title, positing a time of 24 minutes, 20.39 in the 8K. In the process, he set a new Peach Belt Conference Record and won by a 1:15 margin. Ndhlovu also earned the Peach Belt's Runner of the Year award for the second year as well. A native of Zimbabwe, Ndhlovu became the the fourth person in conference history to win back-to-back conference titles.
Mahaffie, a senior, captured her first career title at the Peach Belt Conference, winning the 6K race in a time of 22:36.83. Mahaffie finished 10 seconds in front of Montevallo's Kaley Glover. She also set a new school record and earned first-time honors on the All-Peach Belt Conference team, and all-sportsmanship team. The Pembroke women placed third overall as a team.