Utica University Athletics

Utica, N.Y. – Senior hurdler Joe Pruckno was named the Empire 8 Conference's Track & Field Athlete of the Week and the College's Co-Male Athlete of the Week on Monday after taking home All-American honors in the 60 meter hurdles at the 2012 NCAA Division III Indoor Championships Saturday.

He earned his second career All-American honor after finishing in sixth place in the finals of the men's 60 meter high hurdles at host Grinnell College in Grinnell, Iowa.  Pruckno registered a time of 8.23 in the eight man race.  Pruckno advanced to the Division III indoor finals for the first time in his career after taking home third place (8.21) in the first preliminary race on Friday night. 

Pruckno, who is the young program's first and only All-American, was making his second straight appearance at the NCAA Division III Indoor Championships.  He missed out on advancing to the finals by just .002 last season, making Saturday's race all the more special.

Pruckno earned his first All-American honor last May when he placed sixth in the 110 meter hurdles at the NCAA outdoor Championships.

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