ST. LOUIS – For the first time in his career, freshman sprinter Willie Johnson has been named the Missouri Valley Conference Male Track Athlete of the Week, the conference office announced Wednesday.

Johnson won his first two collegiate events – the 200-meter and 400-meter dashes –  at the Vanderbilt Black and Gold Invitational on April 16-17. His winning time of 46.59 in the 400-meter dash is a new career-best, as well as the fastest time in the Missouri Valley Conference this season.

The Salukis will return to the track this weekend to partake in the Clark Wood Invitational, hosted by the University of Louisville on April 23-24.