Piazza takes home his second ACC Track Performer of the Week honors

Senior distance runner Drew Piazza headlined the Hokies' efforts at the Virginia Challenge over the weekend, breaking the school record in the 800 meters

April 25, 2017

BLACKSBURG – Following his record-setting performance at the Virginia Challenge last weekend, senior Drew Piazza of the Virginia Tech men’s track and field team has been named the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) Men’s Track Performer of the Week, as announced by the league office on Tuesday.

Today’s honor is the second career weekly award for Piazza, a 2017 indoor first-team All-American as well as an All-ACC first team honoree. Of note, Piazza shared today’s honor with Pitt’s sprinter Desmond Palmer, who also competed at the Virginia Challenge and posted a league-leading mark in the 400-meter hurdles.

Piazza headlined the Hokies’ efforts at the Virginia Challenge on April 21, running the 800-meter race outdoors for the first time this season. The Danvers, Massachusetts, native earned a third-place finish in the event and clocked a school-record time of 1 minute, 46.02 seconds. He broke teammate Patrick Joseph’s previous mark of 1:47.29, which was set at the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) Outdoor Championships last season. With Saturday’s mark, Piazza currently owns the fastest time in the conference and the fifth-best time in the nation.

N.C. State’s distance runner Erika Kemp earned Women’s Track Performer of the Week accolades, while Florida State’s thrower Kellion Knibb was named the ACC Women’s Field Performer of the Week. Additionally, Virginia’s jumper Jordan Scott collected the ACC Men’s Field Performer of the Week honors.

Additionally, junior sprinter Courtney Blanden was named the Virginia Tech Athlete of the Week earlier today.

The Weddington, North Carolina, native enjoyed the best weekend of her career this past weekend, as she broke the school record while winning the 200-meter run at the War Eagle Invitational held in Auburn, Alabama. Her time of 23.01 seconds snapped the previous mark of 23.17 set by Britni Spruill a decade ago. Her 200-meter time currently ranks as the third best in the ACC this season. In addition, Blanden recorded a career-best in the 400, winning in a time of 53.48 seconds – a time that stands as the 10th best in the conference this season.

Looking ahead, the Hokies will divide and conquer yet again, continuing their outdoor season at the Penn Relays, the Longhorn Invitational and the Virginia Grand Prix held on April 27-29.

Fans can follow all the action during each meet of the 2017 outdoor season by following the squad on Twitter and Instagram.

For updates on Virginia Tech track & field, follow the Hokies on Twitter Follow @VT_Track