Iowa Central's Victoria Adu has been named the NJCAA Women's National Athlete of the Week by the U.S. Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association.

Adu, a freshman from Berlin, Germany, made her collegiate debut at the Coffeyville Winter Invitational in impressive fashion.

She earned a gold in the weight throw with a toss of 18.79m (61-7.75) on her very first attempt. All five throws in the event from Adu went over 18.00m (59-0.75). 

Adu is the early leader in the event. Her winning throw would have placed second at the NJCAA Indoor Track and Field Championships a year ago. The mark is the fourth-best in school history. 

This marks the ninth time in the past five years that a female from Iowa Central has earned National Athlete of the Week honors during the indoor season. Adu is the first field athlete to earn the honor for the Tritons.

Others being honored include KC Lightfoot from Baylor, Ruth Usoro of Texas Tech, Christian Noble of Lee, Haven Lander from Pittsburg State, Joe Freidburger of Wartburg, Anastasia Tucker of Hope and Courtney Lawrence from Cloud County.

-By Dana Becker