ST. PAUL, Minn. - For the second week in a row, Macalester College sophomore John Ihrke (Northbrook, Ill./Glenbrook North) was selected the MIAC Men's Track Athlete of the Week for the week ending Feb. 22, the conference announced today. Ihrke won the 800 meters at the University of Minnesota's Snowshoe Open on Friday in school-record time.

Ihrke won the 800 by over three seconds with a time of 1:52.48, eclipsing his own school record of 1:53.39, set at the St. Olaf Invitational on Jan. 31. His converted time of 1:50.90 ranks sixth in Division III so far this season, putting him in good position to be selected for the NCAA Division III Indoor Track & Field Championships.

In addition to breaking the school record in the 800 twice, Ihrke also has set two other records during the indoor campaign. Last week he broke a 43-year-old record in the 1000 meters with a time of 2:27.43 at Carleton's Meet of Hearts to earn MIAC Track Athlete of the Week. Ihrke also broke the school record in the mile with a time of 4:15.66 at the Gopher Classic on Feb. 7.

Macalester competes in the MIAC Indoor Track & Field Championships this week, starting on Feb. 26 and concluding on Feb. 28 at Carleton in Northfield, Minn.