Weiler Named Northeast Male Field Athlete of the Year

Harvard freshman Nico Weiler has been named the U.S. Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association Male Field Athlete of the Year for the Northeast region. The Ivy League, IC4A and NCAA Regional champion in the pole vault is just the second Harvard recipient of the award.

Weiler, a native of Stuggart, Germany has had an exceptional spring season. After an injury-plagued indoor campaign, Weiler broke the Harvard program record in just his second meet of the outdoor season. He cleared 5.20 meters to win the Victor Lopez Classic and better George Stiles' 20 year-old mark. Weiler broke his own record with a clearance of 5.30 meters at the Drake Relays the following month, good for second place.

He went on to vault a life-time best 5.36 meters at the NCAA East Regional May 31 and become Harvard's first regional champion. Weiler's mark was the highest clearance by an Ivy Leaguer since 1993 and is the third best vault by an Ivy League athlete.

The only other award winner for the Crimson was All-American Samyr Laine '06, who was the USTFCCA Indoor Track and Field Northeast Field Athlete of the Year in 2006.

The USTFCCCA honors the top track and field athletes along with the top head coaches and assistant coaches in nine Division I regions. A total of 73 men's and women's student-athletes and coaches were recognized this year.