MSSU's Bonds, Barton receive Athlete of the Week honors

Apr. 17—Missouri Southern's women's shot putter Samariae Bonds and men's thrower Peyton Barton were named Athletes of the Week by the MIAA this week.

Bonds, competing in her first outdoor meet of the year, earned the distinction with a dominant performance at Emporia State's Midwest Classic. Her winning effort eclipsed the nearest competitor by almost 8 feet. Her 15.27-meter heave is the best so far this season in the conference and the third best in the nation.

Bonds, of Austin, Texas, is the defending MIAA champion in the shot put and finished third in the nation last year.

Barton is no stranger to Athlete of the Week honors, which he earned six times this past indoor season. He also was named for the third straight week this week for his success during the outdoor season.

At Central Missouri's Mule Relays last week, Barton took first in the hammer throw with a school-record toss of 68.09 meters. The mark also is the best throw in Division II this outdoor season.

Barton also finished second in the discus with a 56.33-meter effort, the third best in DII this season.

Barton, from McDonald County, was the DII national champion in the weight throw this past season and the national champion in the discus during last year's outdoor season.

In the most recent United States Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association rankings, the Lion men rank second in the nation and the Southern women are 11th.

Both teams head to Fayetteville, Arkansas, to compete at the John McDonnell Invitational on Thursday and Friday before competing at the Pittsburg State University Tune-Up on Saturday.