ROCHESTER, NY - The Utica University track and field teams bagged a pair of conference awards following impressive individual performances by a couple of standout athletes. Shiann Williams (Bronx, NY/Hydel) of the women's track and field team, and Spencer Borghardt (Smithtown, NY/St.Anthony's) of the men's track and field team each received an Empire 8 Athlete of the Week, marking the first such honor of the season for both individuals. Williams received the Empire 8 Track Athlete of the Week award, while Borghardt took home the Empire 8 Field Athlete of the Week Award.

Williams registered top-three finishes in a pair of events over the weekend. In the 500m on Friday at the Utica Winter Opener, Williams posted a time of 1:21.85, a mark good enough for sixth on the all-time leaderboard. On Sunday, Williams took home first place in the 200m open at the Suffolk Ice Breaker Challenge, posting a time of 25.78, beating out several Division I competitors.

Top thrower Borghardt continued his impressive start to his senior season at the Utica Winter Opener. Borghardt competed in the weight throw event for the Pioneers, winning with a 17.10-meter throw. A Utica teammate placed second, just 0.05 meters shorter, but the two had a sizeable lead on the competition, as third place recorded a 15.87-meter toss, with fourth place achieving 14.85 meters. The event marked just the fourth time Borghardt has reached above 17.00 meters.

The men's and women's track teams will be back in action this Saturday at the Ithaca College Invite.