Birchem Named MIAC Field Athlete Of The Week

MOORHEAD, Minn. (4/15/15)—Concordia senior Hillary Birchem was named the MIAC Women's Field Athlete of the Week after her career-best performance in the discus at the St. Benedict Quadrangular last weekend.

Birchem becomes the first Cobber athlete to earn MIAC weekly honors during the outdoor season. She is the second Concordia athlete to win the Field Athlete of the Week honor since January. Senior teammate Cherae Reeves earned the award during the indoor season.   

Birchem won the discus event with a career-best distance of 157-05.00. That mark won the event by over 33 feet and is currently the second best distance in all of NCAA Division III. Her winning distance would also be in the top 10 of NCAA Division II.

Birchem's outstanding throw is the second farthest in school history and farthest since US Olympian Kris Kuehl posted a mark of 180-06.00 in 1992.

In addition to her national-qualifying mark in the discus, Birchem was also fourth in the shot put with a career-best toss of 40-4.75. That is currently No.8 on the list for top throws in the MIAC this year.

Birchem will have another four more chances to tray and better her marks in the discus and shot put before the MIAC Championship Meet. Concordia will next compete at the Carleton Relays on Saturday, Apr. 18 before hosting the annual Cobber Twilight Meet on Tuesday, Apr. 21 at 3 p.m.